Chapter 1 - The Marble Stairs
“DAD—SHE PUSHED ME!”
Julian Mercer had been inside his own house for less than ten seconds when his eleven-year-old son screamed from the marble staircase.
His suitcase hit the floor.
Leo sat halfway down the steps, one knee bent under him, his hand gripping the railing. Maya, the housekeeper who had worked for Julian since Leo was a toddler, was crouched beside him. In her other hand was a thick cream-colored folder stamped MERCER FAMILY TRUST—CONFIDENTIAL.
At the top of the staircase stood Eleanor Mercer.
Julian’s wife.
Perfect hair. Pearl earrings. White silk blouse.
And a face that looked more annoyed than frightened.
“What is going on in my home?” Julian demanded.
Leo pointed at Eleanor. “She tried to force me out of the house. Then she pushed me.”
Eleanor’s mouth fell open. “Julian, darling, this servant has filled his head with nonsense.”
Maya stood. “I saw what she did with my own two eyes.”
“Stay out of this,” Eleanor snapped.
Julian looked at the folder. “What papers are you holding?”
Maya swallowed. “Your son’s official trust documents.”
Eleanor came down one step. “I was protecting this family.”
“By taking them out of my office?” Julian asked.
“They belong to the estate.”
“They belong to Leo.”
Leo’s breathing came fast. “Dad, she said when I turn twelve, the money becomes harder for her to touch.”
Eleanor went pale.
Julian’s expression changed. “What did you say to him?”
“Nothing. He misunderstood.”
Maya opened the folder. “Then explain this.”
She pulled out a document with three yellow tabs and a signature page.
Julian recognized his own name.
But he had never signed it.
The document transferred temporary control of Leo’s trust to Eleanor in the event Julian was ‘medically unavailable, mentally impaired, or absent for more than thirty consecutive days.’
Julian had spent thirty-two days in Singapore closing a deal.
He looked at Eleanor.
“You forged my signature.”
“That is ridiculous.”
Leo’s voice cracked. “She told me I was being sent to boarding school tonight.”
Julian stepped between his son and Eleanor.
“Security.”
Two officers appeared from the east hall.
Eleanor stared at him. “You cannot throw me out. I am your legal wife.”
“My lawyers can fix that.” Julian’s voice was flat. “Remove her from my property.”
“Julian, don’t be stupid.”
“Tomorrow morning, I file for divorce.”
The security officers moved toward her.
Then Eleanor smiled.
Not nervously.
Confidently.
“You should read page fourteen before you embarrass yourself.”
Julian looked down.
Maya flipped to page fourteen.
At the bottom was another signature.
Not Julian’s.
Leo’s late mother’s.
May you like
Amelia Mercer had been dead for six years.
And according to the document, she had signed it three weeks ago.
