Chapter 7 - The Apartment They Wanted
Nora’s apartment had belonged to Madison’s grandmother.
After her death, the property passed to Madison.
It occupied an entire corner of the high-rise and overlooked downtown Dallas.
Its value had tripled in eight years.
Madison also owned a smaller commercial building where her design studio operated.
Ryan had always described both properties as “family assets.”
Madison thought he meant their future family.
Now she saw the language differently.
Daniel collected the scattered documents without disturbing their order.
Gloria moved toward the elevator.
“You have no right to keep those.”
Daniel looked at her.
“They were brought here for my injured daughter’s signature.”
“They belong to the Mercer family trust.”
“They are unsigned.”
Ryan pushed through the broken door.
“This is between me and my wife.”
Nora stepped closer to Madison.
Daniel remained between them.
“Your wife is bleeding.”
“She panicked.”
“She was restrained.”
Ryan’s eyes flicked toward Madison’s torn sleeve.
“It got out of hand.”
Daniel’s voice dropped.
“What did?”
“The conversation.”
“You brought two men into a locked room to discuss paperwork?”
Ryan said nothing.
Gloria lifted her chin.
“Madison agreed before the wedding that all major property would be consolidated.”
Madison stared at her.
“I never agreed.”
“You discussed building a future.”
“That is not consent.”
Daniel examined the final page.
A handwritten note appeared in the margin.
Transfer apartment immediately.
Commercial property after ninety days.
Daniel looked at Ryan.
“How much debt are you hiding?”
Ryan’s face changed.
It was small.
But Daniel saw it.
May you like
The papers were not designed to make Ryan wealthier.
They were designed to stop something from collapsing.
