Chapter 13 - The Reckoning
""What situation, David?"" Arthur asked, leading the group into the private library while the forensic specialist took a gentle cotton swab from the inside of Chloe’s cheek. Eleanor did the same without hesitation, signing the emergency verification documents on the mahogany desk.
""Thorne wasn't killed at the lake,"" David revealed, laying out several high-resolution surveillance photos across the desk. ""He fled straight to the central broadcasting station. He claims he has proof that the Vance family orchestrated Clara’s kidnapping to avoid a massive inheritance tax scandal twenty years ago. He is preparing to go live on the midnight broadcast.""
Eleanor’s eyes flashed with icy fury. ""He wants to destroy her name before she even gets it back. He wants to paint our family as child traffickers.""
""He has altered documents provided by Victor,"" David explained. ""Without an official court order or an immediate public statement from you, Judge, the morning headlines will call for your arrest. The cartel is using Thorne to destabilize your assets so they can seize the offshore holding companies.""
Chloe looked down at the documents, her sharp eyes scanning the signature lines. Having worked in administrative offices to pay her tuition, she recognized the notary stamps instantly.
""These stamps are forged,"" Chloe spoke up, her voice clear and decisive.
Arthur and David looked at her in surprise. ""What did you say, Clara?"" Arthur asked.
""Look at the serial numbers on the notary seals,"" Chloe pointed with a steady finger. ""The jurisdiction code says County 4. But County 4 didn't exist until 2012 when the municipal lines were redrawn. I filed hundreds of property deeds while working as a legal clerk in the registry office last year. Whoever forged these papers used modern registry formats on twenty-year-old paper.""
Arthur stared at Chloe, his chest swelling with profound pride. ""She's right. It's a complete fabrication.""
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""Then we don't hide behind court injunctions,"" Eleanor said, turning toward Arthur with the commanding authority of a woman who had found her purpose. ""Order the studio to hold their broadcast. We are going down there ourselves. The world needs to see who my daughter really is.""
""And what about Justice Sterling?"" David asked quietly. ""Your father... he's being transported to the hospital under federal guard right now. He asked to see you both.""
