Chapter 5 - The Frame
Clara felt a cold bead of sweat roll down the back of her neck. ""That’s impossible. I have never owned an offshore account. I worked thirty hours a week at a pediatric clinic just to buy formula!""
""The signatures are identical to the deed you just handed Eleanor,"" Marcus said, turning the journal around. He pointed to three distinct transfers signed in a hurried, looping cursive: Clara Vance.
""She set it up!"" Julian shouted, moving toward Clara with raised hands. ""She played the long game! She seduced me, had the child, and then worked on the old man while he was weak, turning him against his own blood until she had everything—and then she snuffed him out!""
""Don't come near me!"" Clara backed out of the library, shielding Leo with her entire torso.
""Arrest her!"" Eleanor commanded, pulling her phone from her purse. ""Call the district attorney immediately. She's a murderer who broke into this house to claim her spoils!""
""Nobody is calling the police just yet,"" Marcus commanded, his voice cutting through the panic like an iron blade. He stepped between Julian and Clara, his frame unexpectedly imposing. ""If the police arrive right now, this entire estate enters immediate probate litigation. The trusts will be frozen, the bank accounts locked by the Department of Justice, and the baby will be placed into the custody of Child Protective Services within the hour. Is that what you want, Julian? To lose the fortune entirely to the state?""
Julian stopped, his jaw clenching as greed waged war against his anger.
""Give me forty-eight hours,"" Clara demanded, her voice shaking with adrenaline. ""Let me cross-reference the bank accounts with Arthur's personal computer in the east wing. I know who handled Arthur's paperwork, and it wasn't me. It was Arthur’s private secretary.""
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""Arthur's secretary vanished three days before his funeral,"" Eleanor whispered darkly.
Just as Eleanor spoke, the lights across the entire mansion flickered violently and died, plunging the massive foyer and library into complete, terrifying darkness.
