My Husband Came Home Early and Found His Mother Forcing Me to Drink a Black Liquid—Then His Sister Said, “Ask About Anna.”

The next morning, Thomas arrived at the hospital with the family attorney, Miriam Cole.

Not Margaret's attorney.

His own.

Miriam placed a thick trust document on the table.

"This is the reason Margaret needed control after the birth."

Ryan frowned.

Miriam pointed to a clause created by Ryan's grandfather decades earlier.

When the first biological grandchild in Anna Mercer's line was born, a block of Carter Industries voting shares transferred permanently out of Thomas's control and into a protected trust for Ryan and his child.

Sophie had activated it the moment she was born.

"How much?" Ryan asked.

"Thirty-one percent."

Jessica whistled softly.

That was enough to stop Margaret from controlling the company through Thomas.

Miriam continued.

"If Emily were declared medically or psychiatrically unable to care for the baby, and if you signed the emergency proxy prepared for you, Margaret would have become temporary trustee of Sophie's shares."

Ryan looked sick.

"She planned this before Emily went into labor."

"Yes."

I stared at Sophie sleeping in the bassinet.

"And Anna?"

Miriam's expression darkened.

"The same trust language existed in an earlier version. Anna's marriage to Thomas would have shifted control away from Thomas's father. Her institutionalization prevented that."

A knock came at the door.

Detective Brooks entered with two officers.

"We found Dr. Harlan's car."

Ryan stood.

"Where?"

"At a private airfield."

"Did you find him?"

Brooks shook her head.

"No. But we found his phone."

She placed it in an evidence bag on the table.

"His last outgoing call was to Margaret."

Jessica asked, "What did they say?"