Chapter 13 - When the Alliance Broke
Victoria reached Harold’s office first.
Nathan did not follow her inside.
He let investigators handle it.
By morning, Harold’s attorney contacted Rebecca Sloan.
Harold wanted immunity from civil claims in exchange for cooperation.
Nathan refused.
“You don’t get to erase a woman’s identity, steal millions, hide my daughter, then negotiate your way into comfort.”
Rebecca nodded.
“Then we let prosecutors decide what cooperation is worth.”
Harold began turning over records anyway.
Self-preservation had finally beaten loyalty.
The files were devastating.
Emails.
Bank instructions.
Forged authorization drafts.
Private messages between Harold and Victoria.
One message dated shortly after Grace learned she was pregnant read:
Make sure Nathan believes she chose the money.
Another:
Evelyn is asking questions. Delay the lab.
And finally:
If the child receives the silver authentication piece, get it back before Sloan sees it.
Grace stared at that message.
“That’s why she attacked us.”
Nathan nodded.
Victoria had learned Grace possessed Evelyn’s locket.
She had disabled the cameras.
Confronted Grace.
Demanded Evelyn’s remaining records.
Then noticed the chain around Lily’s neck.
The hockey stick had been nearby after Nathan’s weekend game with friends.
Victoria grabbed it in rage.
The violence hadn’t been part of a sophisticated plan.
It was the moment her plan collapsed.
Harold also surrendered the original amendment.
It was intact.
And attached to it was something Victoria apparently hadn’t known existed.
A handwritten note signed by Charles Mercer.
If evidence establishes that Sarah Mercer had surviving issue when this amendment was executed, I request immediate judicial review because my consent was obtained under false representation.
Rebecca exhaled.
“That’s enormous.”
Nathan didn’t celebrate.
He looked at Lily playing quietly beside Grace.
“Will it protect her?”
“It gives us what we need to challenge the amendment properly.”
Nathan nodded.
That was enough.
Then his phone rang.
His company’s board chairman.
“Nathan, we have a problem.”
Victoria had filed a lawsuit.
She claimed Nathan had assaulted her, unlawfully imprisoned her in his home, manipulated Grace into fabricating allegations, and was attempting to seize control of the trust using a child whose paternity had been manufactured.
Grace looked horrified.
Nathan didn’t.
He had expected desperation.
Victoria had simply chosen hers.
“When’s the hearing?”
“Monday.”
Nathan looked toward the unopened silver locket.
“Good.”
Grace stared at him.
“Good?”
Nathan’s expression hardened.
“She wants everything in public record.”
May you like
He stood.
“Let’s give it to her.”
