Chapter 15 - The Shadow Behind the Throne
By midnight, Evelyn had uncovered the serpent behind Daniel's sudden wealth.
"Julianna," I whispered, staring at the surveillance photographs spread across the conference table.
"Not just Julianna," Evelyn corrected, pointing to the man standing beside Daniel’s former mistress in the photos taken outside a high-end financial firm in Manhattan. "Julianna married Richard Sterling four months ago. Sterling Capital was Daniel's fiercest corporate rival before the collapse. Sterling bought up Daniel's remaining offshore debts for pennies on the dollar."
The puzzle pieces clicked into place with horrifying clarity. "Sterling doesn't care about Daniel. He’s using Daniel as a battering ram to destabilize Vance Enterprises and Noah’s Harbor."
"Exactly," Evelyn said, adjusting her glasses. "Sterling provides the unlimited legal funding and private security contractors; Daniel provides the family bloodline claims. Together, they’ve filed a massive civil countersuit in probate court this evening."
I picked up the court summons. The legal terminology swam before my eyes, each word dripping with venom.
*Motion for Emergency Revocation of Custody. Petition to Nullify Last Will and Testament of Harrison Vance on grounds of Elder Coercion. Claim of Maternal Alienation and Psychological Instability against Grace Vance.*
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"They're alleging that Margaret has dementia," I gasped, horrified. "And that I manipulated her into disinheriting Daniel while exploiting my post-partum depression to poison Noah against his father!"
"And because Sterling just poured millions into the campaign of Judge Harrington—the very judge assigned to Family Court District 4," Evelyn said grimly, "they’ve secured an emergency hearing for tomorrow morning."
