Chapter 11 - what victoria really wanted)
Victoria disappeared the next morning.
Her condominium was empty.
Her primary phone went straight to voicemail.
The second phone Clara had seen in her purse was no longer active.
Robert Hayes claimed not to know where she was.
Evelyn Hayes refused every call.
Daniel stayed inside the villa.
For forty-eight hours he barely slept.
Clara gave him space.
On the third morning, he came downstairs dressed for work.
“You’re going to the office?”
“No.”
“Where?”
“To find Victoria.”
Clara closed her laptop.
“No.”
His eyes hardened.
“You don’t control me.”
“I know.”
“Then don’t say no.”
“I’m saying it because she has confidential trust documents and has disappeared after learning we uncovered Rebecca.”
“I need answers.”
“So do I.”
“She was my fiancée.”
“She was using you.”
“You don’t know that.”
Clara stood.
“She knew about Rebecca before your first date.”
“Yes.”
“She asked about succession.”
“Yes.”
“She searched your private cabinet.”
“Yes.”
“She refused a prenup.”
“Yes.”
Daniel’s voice rose with each answer.
“I know all of that.”
“Then why are you still defending her?”
“Because I loved her!”
Silence filled the kitchen.
Daniel’s eyes were wet.
“I loved her, Clara.”
Clara’s anger softened.
“I know.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Yes.”
“You think because she lied, everything I felt becomes fake.”
“I don’t.”
“I woke up every morning believing I was building a life with someone. I bought a ring. I planned a wedding. I imagined children.”
Clara said nothing.
Daniel looked away.
“I need to look her in the face and hear why.”
Clara nodded.
“Then we find her safely.”
Adrian entered before Daniel could respond.
“I think we know what Victoria wanted.”
He placed a scan of an old legal memorandum on the table.
“Where did you get that?” Clara asked.
“Pierce.”
“Landon Pierce gave it to you?”
“After I threatened a subpoena.”
Daniel almost smiled.
Adrian pointed to a paragraph.
“This was drafted in 2009 after Charles discovered Rebecca’s identity.”
Clara read.
In the event that an undisclosed biological child of Charles Edward Vance establishes direct descent through recognized genetic evidence, such child or surviving lawful issue shall receive economic participation equal to the settlor’s acknowledged children.
Daniel stared.
“So Rebecca had a claim.”
“Yes.”
Clara continued reading.
“Economic participation does not equal trustee control.”
“No,” Adrian said.
“Then why did she want succession documents?”
“Keep reading.”
A second clause appeared.
Upon incapacity or removal of the managing trustee, successor authority shall pass to the beneficiary holding the largest combined direct and inherited beneficial percentage.
Clara looked up.
“If Rebecca had survived…”
“She could have held the same economic share as you.”
Daniel frowned.
“But she died.”
Adrian nodded.
“Which brings us to the phrase surviving lawful issue.”
Daniel went still.
Clara stared.
“Rebecca had a child?”
Adrian looked at both of them.
“Yes.”
The room became silent.
“A daughter.”
Clara whispered, “Where is she?”
“We don’t know.”
Daniel looked stunned.
“Victoria never mentioned a child.”
“Neither did Robert.”
Clara’s thoughts accelerated.
“How old?”
“Born 2012.”
“Father?”
“Not listed on the record I found.”
“Name?”
Adrian hesitated.
“Originally Ava Rebecca Hayes.”
“Originally?”
“Her surname changed after an adoption.”
Clara stood.
“Who adopted her?”
“I haven’t confirmed it.”
Daniel’s voice was sharp.
“Does Victoria have her?”
“I don’t know.”
Clara understood the structure now.
If Rebecca’s daughter existed, she might be entitled to a substantial trust share if the draft amendment had been validly executed.
Victoria could not claim it personally.
Unless she controlled the child.
“Victoria wasn’t trying to become a beneficiary,” Clara said.
Adrian nodded slowly.
“She may have been trying to prove Ava already is one.”
Daniel looked sick.
“And marrying me?”
Clara stared toward the window.
“Would give her direct access to the family, records, properties and succession process.”
Daniel whispered, “Jesus.”
Adrian’s phone vibrated.
He looked down.
Then at Clara.
“What?”
“We found Victoria.”
“Where?”
He turned the phone around.
A security camera image showed Victoria entering Dallas Love Field.
Beside her walked a girl of about fourteen.
Dark hair.
Dark eyes.
Clara stopped breathing.
Even in a grainy airport image, the resemblance was unmistakable.
May you like
The girl looked like Rebecca.
Which meant she looked like Clara.
