Chapter 13 - THE DEADLINE
Helena’s bedroom looked untouched.
No remote.
No hidden cash.
No forged documents.
Nothing.
Her attorneys arrived before sunrise and threatened lawsuits.
Helena seemed almost amused.
“You embarrassed yourself.”
Claire remained silent.
Mason did not.
“We’re not finished.”
Helena smiled.
“You never started.”
Then Graham entered with a file.
“We have a larger problem.”
He placed it on the table.
The first page was a court petition.
Claire read the date.
Tomorrow.
“What is this.”
Graham looked at her.
“A challenge to your unborn daughter’s trust.”
Lucas grabbed the papers.
“Filed by whom.”
“Sterling Family Holdings.”
Helena’s expression did not change.
Lucas looked at his mother.
“You filed this.”
“Yes.”
Claire felt the betrayal like ice.
“While I’m eight months pregnant.”
“I filed it before the gala.”
“Why.”
Helena folded her hands.
“Because the trust is invalid.”
Graham shook his head.
“It is not.”
Helena ignored him.
“The trust requires the child to be Lucas’s lawful biological heir.”
Claire stared at her.
“What are you implying.”
Helena slid another document across the table.
A DNA report.
Probability of paternity.
Zero percent.
Lucas did not touch it.
Claire laughed once.
“This is fake.”
Helena shrugged.
“A court will decide.”
Claire looked at Lucas.
He had gone very still.
“You believe her.”
“No.”
“You didn’t even read it.”
“Because I know my daughter is mine.”
Helena leaned forward.
“Do you.”
Lucas looked at her.
“Yes.”
The certainty in his voice steadied Claire.
Mason examined the report.
“Where did this sample supposedly come from.”
Helena answered.
“Prenatal genetic testing.”
Claire shook her head.
“I never authorized that.”
“You had blood drawn six weeks ago.”
“For routine testing.”
“Samples can be legally subpoenaed.”
“Not before the petition existed.”
Graham stared at Helena.
“You forged the chain of custody.”
Helena smiled.
“Prove it.”
There it was.
The deadline.
If Helena convinced a judge to suspend the trust before the baby’s birth, she could prevent the transfer.
Even if Claire later proved fraud, the company could be restructured first.
Graham looked grim.
“The emergency hearing is tomorrow at ten.”
Lucas stood.
“Then we fight it.”
Mason’s phone rang.
His face darkened.
“We have another issue.”
He turned toward Claire.
“Your obstetrician’s office was broken into.”
Claire felt her baby move.
“What was taken.”
“Your medical records.”
“Blood samples.”
“And the backup drive containing your prenatal scans.”
Lucas swore.
Then Mason continued.
“The security camera caught the intruder.”
He placed the image on the table.
Nathan Cole.
Claire stared at his face.
But Nathan was not alone.
Standing beside him was a woman with dark hair.
Rebecca.
May you like
And in Rebecca’s hands was a newborn-size hospital blanket embroidered with one name.
STERLING.
