Chapter 12 - Victoria Becomes the Suspect
Records storage smelled like smoke.
Martin Lowe stood near an open shredding bin.
Security had him against the wall.
He looked furious.
Not guilty.
Furious.
Victoria walked in.
“You.”
He laughed.
“Do not be dramatic.”
“My billing records.”
“Firm records.”
“Forged.”
His face stayed flat.
“Prove it.”
She stepped closer.
“Charles paid you.”
“No.”
“Melissa did.”
He looked toward the security guard.
Then back.
“Melissa is weak.”
“She confessed.”
“That does not make her truthful.”
Victoria held up the fabricated time sheet.
“You used my credentials.”
“I protected the firm.”
“From what?”
“You.”
The answer stopped her.
“You were becoming reckless over Harbor House.”
“I was doing my job.”
“You attached the firm to a political project.”
“A children’s clinic.”
“On poisoned land.”
“You knew.”
He realized too late.
Victoria smiled.
“There.”
Martin’s face tightened.
“You knew the land was contaminated.”
He said nothing.
“How long?”
“Years.”
“From Charles.”
Silence.
“Did Daniel know about you?”
His jaw flexed.
Victoria’s pulse climbed.
“Did he?”
“Yes.”
The word hit.
“What did he do?”
“Threatened me.”
“Good.”
Martin laughed.
“You still worship him.”
“No.”
Victoria stepped closer.
“I just keep discovering he had better instincts than the rest of us.”
Martin looked away.
She said, “Why Lily’s birth certificate?”
He froze.
Wrong question.
Right reaction.
“Charles asked for it.”
“So Melissa said.”
Martin shook his head.
“He didn’t want Lily.”
“What?”
“He wanted proof Daniel had a lawful descendant.”
“Why?”
“Because if Daniel’s bloodline continued, certain trust rights could bypass you later.”
Victoria frowned.
“But I am current successor.”
“Yes.”
“Then Lily matters eventually.”
“Yes.”
“Charles said she wasn’t the heir he worried about.”
Martin looked at her.
“Because you can block him now.”
Victoria understood.
Lily was future leverage.
Victoria was present obstacle.
Martin exhaled.
“There is another document.”
“What?”
“Daniel’s amendment.”
“Where?”
“Charles has it.”
“What does it do?”
“Changes succession if the trustee is removed for misconduct.”
Victoria’s pulse stopped.
“Who becomes successor?”
Martin closed his eyes.
“Arthur Pendleton.”
Victoria went still.
Arthur.
No.
“Why Arthur?”
“Daniel trusted him.”
That part made sense.
Too much sense.
Then Martin added:
“Charles knew that too.”
Victoria’s phone vibrated.
Arthur.
She stared at the screen.
Did not answer.
Martin whispered:
“Ask your friend why he never told you he was next in line.”
May you like
CUT.
