Chapter 12 - The Inheritance Under the Inheritance
Samuel spent the night pulling sealed probate records. By morning, the pieces were ugly but clear.
Adrian Mercer had been placed in psychiatric care by his father after a public breakdown. Before that, he had a relationship with a woman named Lorraine Pierce.
Lorraine later gave birth to Eleanor Pierce.
No father was listed on the birth certificate.
Leo stared at the document. “So Eleanor might be Dad’s cousin?”
“Half-cousin, if Adrian was her father,” Samuel said.
Julian looked sick.
“And she knew?”
“According to Anna’s notes, she suspected it years ago.”
Maya understood the next part. “If Eleanor proved she was Adrian’s child, she could claim his trust.”
Samuel nodded. “Potentially. Especially if the distribution to Julian and Charles happened before the paternity issue was resolved.”
“How much is that worth now?” Leo asked.
“After appreciation and reinvestment? Perhaps forty million.”
Forty million dollars. Enough to destroy several lives.
Julian paced. “Then why marry me? Why not file a claim?”
“Because filing would expose Adrian,” Maya said. “And expose the old trust. And maybe expose the money transfers connected to Charles.”
Samuel looked at her. “Exactly.”
Eleanor had chosen the slower path. Marry into the family. Gain access. Control Julian. Neutralize Leo’s shares. Then force a conservatorship and settle everything from inside.
Leo laughed without humor. “So I was not a stepson. I was an obstacle on a spreadsheet.”
Julian reached for him.
Leo stepped back.
A detective entered with bad news.
Miles Grant had used a private airfield two hours earlier.
But the plane never took off.
They found his car abandoned beside Hangar 6.
Inside the trunk was blood.
And a note.
Julian unfolded it.
It was addressed to Leo.
May you like
YOUR MOTHER LEFT ONE MORE THING.
COME ALONE IF YOU WANT IT.
