Chapter 8 - ADRIAN MERCER’S OFFER
Adrian Mercer visited Leah’s studio after closing time.
He arrived without security.
His black coat was wet from rain.
Leah did not invite him inside.
He entered anyway.
“You have created a difficult situation,” he said.
“I was born.”
“Eleanor created the situation.”
Adrian looked around the studio.
Buckets of flowers lined the walls.
Receipts covered the worktable.
“You have talent.”
“You did not come here to discuss flowers.”
“No.”
He placed a settlement agreement on the table.
Leah would receive twenty million dollars.
Her mother’s medical debts would be repaid.
Her floral company would receive a ten-year contract with Mercer Hotels.
In exchange, Leah would transfer her voting shares to Adrian.
She would also sign a statement saying Eleanor believed the child had died.
Leah opened the agreement.
The final section required confidentiality.
She would never speak publicly about Claire, the forged letter, or the altered hospital records.
“You want me to erase my mother again.”
“I want to protect thousands of employees.”
“From what?”
“From a succession battle.”
“Julian is emotional.”
“Eleanor is defensive.”
“The board is divided.”
“You have no experience running hotels.”
“I have no desire to run hotels.”
“Then sign.”
Leah read another page.
The agreement also required her to surrender the original locket and brooch.
“Why do you want these?”
“They are family property.”
“My mother owned them.”
“My uncle gave Claire the brooch while using Mercer funds.”
Leah almost laughed.
“It was a gift.”
“Gifts connected to family history create complications.”
She closed the agreement.
“My mother’s life is a complication to you.”
Adrian’s patience disappeared.
“Your mother had the opportunity to come forward.”
“She chose silence.”
“She was threatened.”
“She was offered security.”
“She chose poverty.”
Leah moved closer.
“She chose me.”
Adrian looked toward the door.
“Do not romanticize suffering.”
“You know nothing about what she survived.”
“I know she could have accepted help.”
“Help that required her to lie.”
Adrian’s expression became cold.
“The offer expires tomorrow.”
“It expired when you entered.”
He collected the papers.
Before leaving, he stopped.
“Eleanor may have made mistakes.”
“But Julian will disappoint you too.”
“Everyone expects fathers to become heroes the moment they discover a child.”
“He will eventually remember that you threaten everything he built.”
Leah watched him go.
The warning stayed with her.
Not because she trusted Adrian.
May you like
Because Claire had issued a similar one.
Do not allow Julian’s guilt to become another form of control.
