Chapter 8 - DANIEL
Nathan looked at his attorney across the library.
"Tell me that's fake."
Daniel did not.
Emma stepped back.
Grace pulled Lily closer.
Daniel raised both hands.
"I signed the order. I did not know what was in the sample."
"Why sign it?"
"Marcus told me Richard had requested duplicate testing after death and that the family wanted privacy."
Nathan's voice turned cold.
"You were my father's lawyer."
"Junior counsel. I was twenty-nine and stupid enough to think rich families wanted discretion, not evidence destroyed."
Detective Ortiz took Daniel's statement.
The hospital archive confirmed the biological sample had not actually been destroyed.
A lab technician had refused the order because the chain-of-custody form was incomplete.
The sample remained frozen under an old case number.
Testing was authorized.
While they waited, Nathan received a call from the estate gate.
A woman named Claire Vale wanted in.
Victoria's older sister.
Claire arrived carrying a suitcase.
"Victoria will say I'm lying," she said. "She always does."
Inside were journals, old phones, and photographs.
Claire explained that Victoria had been in debt for years despite appearing wealthy.
Marcus paid those debts.
In return, Victoria gathered information on Nathan.
"She was never supposed to marry him," Claire said.
Nathan frowned.
"Then why the engagement?"
"Because Marcus learned about Lily. He needed Victoria legally close enough to challenge custody if Grace disappeared."
Grace's face drained of color.
Claire handed Nathan an old text from Victoria.
MARCUS SAYS ONCE I'M MRS. COLE, THE GIRL CAN BE DECLARED UNSAFE WITH HER MOTHER.
Below it was Marcus's reply.
THEN THE TRUST STAYS IN FAMILY HANDS.
Nathan looked at Grace.
"They weren't planning to kill Lily."
Grace whispered, "No."
May you like
Her eyes moved to the words on the screen.
"They were planning to take her."
