Chapter 6 - The Forged Agreement
Chloe opened the folder.
Inside was a copy of the marriage agreement Leah had signed.
Beneath it was a second version.
At first glance, the documents appeared identical. The same letterhead. The same page count. The same signature blocks.
But on page fourteen, a new paragraph had been inserted.
It stated that any private company owned by Leah before the marriage would transfer forty-nine percent of its voting rights to Ryan upon marriage.
Another section gave Ryan temporary authority over her trusts if she became medically or emotionally unable to manage them.
Leah looked at him.
“You planned to declare me unstable.”
Ryan said nothing.
Chloe placed Leah’s phone on the counter.
“I heard him talking to the family lawyer last night,” she said. “They were going to submit this version on Monday.”
Elaine turned toward Ryan.
“You told me she agreed.”
“She did agree.”
“Not to this,” Chloe said.
Ryan pointed at his sister.
“You have no idea what you heard.”
“I recorded it.”
The room went silent again.
Chloe reached into the pocket of her robe and produced a small memory card.
“I copied the study camera footage too.”
Ryan’s face became pale.
Leah understood why Chloe had seemed frightened all morning. She had not been protecting Ryan.
She had been deciding whether she was brave enough to expose him.
Ryan stepped toward her.
Leah moved between them.
“Do not touch her.”
He stopped.
Outside the locked kitchen door, someone knocked.
“Mrs. Hartwell?” a man called. “This is Daniel Mercer. You asked me to come if your phone sent the emergency alert.”
Ryan looked toward Leah’s phone.
Leah almost smiled.
May you like
He had stolen it, but he had forgotten that the device could send an automatic distress message when her smartwatch detected a sudden impact.
Her security director was already outside.
