Chapter 15: The Midnight Trap
Chapter 15: The Midnight Trap
Armed with the name of the orphanage, Ethan hired an elite private investigator. Within forty-eight hours, they had the truth. There was no biological connection between Arthur Montgomery and the boy. Leo’s real name was Julian, an orphan whose records had been mysteriously "lost" from St. Jude's exactly three months prior.
But proving it in a court of law meant they needed the original, untampered adoption records, which Eleanor was guarding fiercely.
"She keeps a biometric lockbox in the guest suite," Ethan whispered to Clara that night, staring at the floor blueprints. "But breaking into it without a warrant will make any evidence inadmissible in court. She could claim we planted it."
"Then we don't break in," Clara said, a dangerous, brilliant spark lighting up her eyes. "We make her open it herself. In front of witnesses."
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The plan was incredibly risky. It required flawless timing, nerves of steel, and the ability to manipulate a master manipulator. They needed to make Eleanor believe that her secret was out, forcing her into a panic to destroy the evidence.
"Tomorrow is the emergency board meeting," Clara said. "The entire executive committee will be in the house. We spring the trap then."
