Chapter 7 - THE FIRSTBORN CLAUSE
The answer came from Miriam Cole, Evelyn Hale’s former attorney.
She was seventy-one, sharp-eyed, and visibly disturbed when Robert placed the documents on her desk.
“I wondered whether Evelyn’s package would ever be found,” she said.
“You knew?” Robert asked.
“Only parts.”
Miriam opened an archived copy of the Hale family trust.
Robert had seen the document before.
Or thought he had.
Miriam turned to a page missing from Robert’s copy.
Clause Twelve.
Upon reaching twenty-one years of age, the first biological child of Robert Hale would receive thirty-five percent of voting shares in Hale Holdings.
Liam leaned back.
“I own part of the company?”
“You may,” Miriam replied. “But that isn’t the important part.”
She pointed farther down.
If Robert died before his firstborn was legally recognized, control of those shares reverted temporarily to Howard Hale.
Robert understood immediately.
His father had not merely hated Lydia.
He had needed Liam to disappear.
Olivia whispered, “Grandpa stole his inheritance.”
Miriam shook her head.
“Worse. He stole his legal existence.”
Liam looked sick.
“I don’t want the company.”
“This isn’t about money,” Robert said. “It’s about proving what happened.”
Miriam removed another document.
Evelyn had opened an investigation eighteen years earlier.
She had discovered evidence that Howard bribed hospital officials to record Lydia and her child as deceased.
But before Evelyn could confront him publicly, she suffered a sudden stroke.
Robert stared at Miriam.
“Was it natural?”
Miriam hesitated.
“I always believed so.”
“Believed?”
“There was one person Evelyn planned to meet the morning she collapsed.”
“Who?”
Miriam slid an old appointment card across the table.
A nurse.
Grace Bell.
Liam read the address.
May you like
Then looked at Robert.
“She’s still alive.”
