Chapter 8 - The Courtroom Trap
Grant’s plan was brilliant.
That was the terrifying part.
He didn’t attack my wealth.
He attacked my credibility.
His lawyers claimed I was unstable.
Obsessed with a “fake family conspiracy.”
They presented my mother’s return as evidence.
“She disappeared for ten years,” Grant’s attorney said.
“She suddenly appears when a billion-dollar inheritance is involved.”
The judge looked at me.
“Mrs. Mercer, can you explain?”
I looked at my mother.
Then at Ellie.
Then I answered.
“Yes.”
The courtroom became silent.
“My mother is alive because someone wanted her hidden.”
Grant smiled slightly.
He thought I sounded emotional.
Unstable.
Exactly as planned.
Then his lawyer presented the final evidence.
A document.
My mother’s supposed death certificate.
Signed by…
My grandfather.
Everyone gasped.
Charles looked shocked.
I turned toward him.
“What is this?”
He shook his head.
“I never signed that.”
The lawyer smiled.
“Then someone forged your signature.”
The room exploded with whispers.
Grant looked confident.
Too confident.
That bothered me.
After court ended, Daniel approached me.
“Mara.”
“What?”
“Grant knew about the hearing before anyone else.”
“How?”
Daniel handed me a file.
“He has someone inside the Kingsley legal department.”
I opened it.
The employee list.
One name was highlighted.
The person who leaked everything.
My blood ran cold.
Because it was someone I trusted.
Someone who had been beside my family for years.
Someone who knew every secret.
My mother looked at the name.
And whispered:
“No…”
I turned.
“Who is it?”
Her face went pale.
“It’s impossible.”
“Who?”
She looked at me.
May you like
“The person who helped raise you.”
My heart stopped.
