Chapter 13 - THE HIDDEN LEDGER
Vanessa transformed the back office into a war room.
Computers.
Bank statements.
Property records.
Shell companies.
Everything was spread across the walls.
Then Vanessa stopped.
"Wait."
Marcus looked over.
"The money funding the smear campaign."
She traced the transfer.
"It comes from a New York PR firm."
Another transfer.
"A Cayman holding company."
Another.
"Richard Bennett."
Marcus frowned.
"Richard's assets are frozen."
"His are."
Vanessa looked at Claire.
"But Eleanor controls the power of attorney."
Silence.
Then Vanessa opened another file.
"Eleanor is almost bankrupt."
Claire stared.
"She's pretending she's still rich."
"Exactly."
Marcus suddenly understood.
"Lily's trust."
Claire's blood ran cold.
Her daughter had a trust fund established by Richard's grandfather.
It couldn't normally be accessed until Lily turned eighteen.
But a legal guardian could petition for emergency access under certain circumstances.
Eleanor didn't want Lily.
She wanted the money attached to Lily.
Claire stood.
The fear disappeared.
Only fury remained.
"She isn't fighting for her granddaughter."
Marcus looked at her.
"She's fighting for the trust fund."
Claire's voice became quiet.
May you like
"Then let's expose her."
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