Marcus placed Daniel’s agreement beside another document.
“It completes their last transfer. If you sign Daniel’s version, you give up every claim inherited from your father.”
I stared at him.
“So they know?”
“They know enough to be frightened.”
Daniel called that evening.
“My father is hosting dinner Friday. We’ll sign everything there.”
“Of course.”
His voice softened.
“Good. I knew you’d be reasonable.”
On Friday, the entire Mercer family gathered at Richard’s mansion.
Daniel sat beside Vanessa without embarrassment.
Richard raised his glass.
“To new beginnings.”
Vanessa smiled.
Daniel pushed the agreement toward me.
Elaine said quietly, “After everything this family has done for you, Claire, the least you can do is stop causing complications.”
I opened my purse.
Daniel smirked.
Instead of a pen, I pulled out a folder.
Richard stopped smiling.
“What is that?”
I slid the first page across the table.
His face turned gray.
It was my father’s original ownership agreement.
Then bank records.
Then shell-company ledgers.
Then notarized copies of documents Richard had forged.
Daniel stood abruptly.
“Where did you get those?”
The dining-room doors opened.
Marcus walked in with two attorneys and a forensic accountant.
I looked at my husband.
“You told Vanessa I never understood business.”
His mouth opened.
I smiled.
“You should have checked who taught me to read a balance sheet.”
Richard reacted first.
“This is intimidation.”
Marcus placed a court filing on the table.
