Chapter 4 - The Locked Study
Julian returned to Hale Manor after midnight.
Vanessa was waiting in the master bedroom.
She wore one of his shirts and nothing else.
Normally, the sight would have softened him.
That night, it made his stomach turn.
She walked toward him.
“How is Martha?”
“She’s stable.”
Vanessa wrapped her arms around him.
Julian forced himself not to pull away.
“I was terrified.”
“I know.”
“She really needs full-time care.”
Julian looked at her.
Vanessa continued carefully.
“Maybe after the wedding we should consider a private facility.”
There it was.
Not subtle anymore.
“She wants to stay here.”
“People with her condition often resist treatment.”
Julian nodded.
Vanessa relaxed.
“I just want what’s best for everyone.”
Julian kissed her forehead.
“I’m exhausted.”
She smiled.
“Sleep.”
Julian waited until her breathing became steady.
Then he left the bedroom.
The mansion was silent.
He walked downstairs to his father’s study.
The brass key was still hidden inside an antique clock.
Julian unlocked the door.
The room smelled of leather and cedar.
Nothing appeared disturbed.
Then he opened the safe.
Several files remained inside.
But one was missing.
The Hale Family Continuity Trust.
Julian remembered signing amendments after his father died.
The trust controlled voting rights in Hale Industrial Group.
If Julian died without children, control passed temporarily to Martha.
After Martha’s death, the shares would be divided between Julian and Claire’s designated heirs.
Unless Julian married.
Marriage changed the succession structure.
A surviving spouse could receive a controlling income interest under certain conditions.
Julian’s hands went cold.
He opened another folder.
Insurance policies.
One policy had been updated six months earlier.
His life insurance coverage had increased from ten million dollars to forty million.
Julian stared at the beneficiary.
Vanessa Cross.
He had signed the modification.
He remembered signing documents during a rushed business meeting.
He had trusted his attorney.
His family attorney.
Richard Vale.
Julian immediately called him.
Richard answered on the fourth ring.
“Julian?”
“I need to see you tomorrow.”
“Of course.”
“Don’t tell anyone.”
Silence.
Then Richard said something strange.
“Is this about your mother?”
Julian’s body stiffened.
“I didn’t mention my mother.”
Another silence.
Then Richard laughed nervously.
“I assumed.”
Julian looked at the empty trust folder.
“Eight o’clock tomorrow.”
He ended the call.
Behind him, the floor creaked.
Julian turned.
May you like
Vanessa stood in the doorway.
And she was no longer pretending to be asleep.
