Chapter 13 - THE WILL TAKEN FROM THE VAULT
The original will was stored beneath the Halcyon in a climate-controlled legal vault.
Adrian used an executive code to enter.
He removed the will, several trust seals, and Claire’s forged letter.
Without the original will, Leah’s claim remained valid through certified copies.
But Adrian could create delays.
He could move company assets before the voting shares transferred.
The audit discovered a pending sale of six Mercer hotels.
The buyer was a private company Adrian controlled through intermediaries.
The sale price was less than half the properties’ value.
Adrian planned to purchase the hotels with money borrowed against Mercer assets.
He would steal the company using the company’s own debt.
Julian froze the transaction.
Eleanor appeared at his office.
“I did not authorize the theft of the will,” she said.
“You created the man who took it.”
“You created him too.”
“He is your nephew.”
“You taught him business.”
Julian looked at his sister.
“You taught him that people exist to protect the family name.”
Eleanor sat across from him.
“Adrian is frightened.”
“He knows Leah will take everything.”
“Leah has not asked for anything.”
“She does not need to ask.”
“The law gives it to her.”
Julian leaned forward.
“The law returns what you hid.”
Eleanor’s composure cracked.
“I spent twenty-five years building those hotels.”
“You traveled.”
“You grieved.”
“You refused to marry.”
“I kept the family alive.”
“And you believed that gave you the right to erase Claire.”
Eleanor’s eyes filled with tears.
“You would have abandoned all of us for her.”
“I wanted a life.”
“You had responsibilities.”
“So did you.”
“You had a responsibility to tell the truth.”
Eleanor looked away.
She offered to help find Adrian if Julian promised Leah would transfer the voting shares back.
Julian refused.
“You are still negotiating with someone else’s life.”
Eleanor stood.
“You think Leah will stay after she receives the shares?”
“That is her choice.”
“She will leave you.”
“Then I will have known her honestly for however long she allows.”
The answer defeated Eleanor more thoroughly than anger could have.
She left without helping.
An hour later, Leah received a message from Adrian.
He had Claire’s original letters.
He also had the will.
May you like
If Leah wanted them, she would meet him inside the closed Grand Mercer Theater at midnight.
She was to come alone.
