Chapter 17 - SOFIA'S MONEY
The hidden trust was created by Victor.
That surprised everyone.
Alexander most of all.
"If he wanted her erased, why leave her money?"
Hannah read the amendment.
"Insurance."
Victor had planned for every possibility.
If Sofia never surfaced, the trust rolled back into Sterling Holdings at age twenty-one.
If she did surface, she inherited seventy-eight million dollars.
But only if her legal guardian signed a confidentiality agreement protecting Victor and the company.
"Even his apology had a gag clause."
"We can challenge it."
"No."
"No?"
"We reject the condition."
"That could cost Sofia the trust."
"Then it costs her."
"That's her money."
Alexander looked at Sofia, who was building a cardboard castle on the floor.
"No. It's money tied to silence about crimes committed against her mother."
"Are you talking about my money?"
"Maybe."
"Is it a lot?"
"Yes."
"Can it buy a horse?"
"Several."
Her eyes widened.
Then he explained in simple words.
The money came with a rule that would stop them from telling the truth about Victor.
Sofia thought.
"Mom hated lies."
"She did."
"Then don't take it."
"There's my answer."
The trust administrators went to court.
The judge voided the confidentiality condition as against public policy.
Sofia kept the trust.
No silence required.
It felt like the first clean win.
Then Detective Brooks arrived.
"We found the person who mailed Ethan the documents."
"Veronica?"
"No."
"Charles?"
"No."
Brooks placed a photograph on the table.
Martin Vale.
Again.
"What does he want?"
"Apparently to force every secret into the open before he testifies."
"Why?"
"Because he thinks exposure keeps him alive."
Brooks explained.
Martin believed another Sterling executive had ordered Lucia's files destroyed after Victor died.
Someone still at the company.
Someone who had approved the fake loan.
Someone Veronica trusted.
One name stood out.
"No."
"What?"
She pointed.
"That man signed my employment contract."
The name:
May you like
Judge Samuel Price.
Hannah's father.
