Chapter 9 - THE LAST LIE
Sabrina’s strategy was desperate.
But clever.
She claimed Claire had stolen another woman’s child years earlier.
Her attorneys demanded DNA testing.
Claire agreed immediately.
“So do it.”
The test was completed under court supervision.
Forty-eight hours later, the result arrived.
Probability of maternity:
99.99 percent.
Claire was Lily’s biological mother.
Sabrina’s challenge collapsed.
But Ethan noticed something strange.
Sabrina had known it would.
So why file it?
Hale had the same question.
“She was buying time.”
“For what?”
They found out that afternoon.
Vale Industries’ board had received instructions to liquidate several overseas accounts.
The request appeared to come from Ethan.
It didn’t.
Sabrina still had access to an old authorization token.
If the transfers went through, nearly forty million dollars would disappear.
Ethan called an emergency board meeting.
Sabrina’s attorney appeared by video.
He denied everything.
Then Ethan placed the recorder from the hidden room on the table.
Sabrina’s voice filled the boardroom.
“The child can never reach him.”
Silence.
Then Hale entered with federal investigators.
Victor Dane had provided account numbers.
The transfers were frozen.
Sabrina lost access to every account.
Every property purchased with stolen funds was placed under investigation.
Her private company was frozen.
Her passports were seized.
And the twelve million dollars stolen from Claire’s trust was traced.
Most of it still existed.
Hidden across six accounts.
Claire looked at Ethan.
“I don’t want the company.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I don’t want Dad’s mansion either.”
“Good.”
Claire smiled slightly.
“Why good?”
“Because Lily has already claimed the kitchen.”
From the doorway came Lily’s voice.
“And the garden.”
Ethan turned.
“And apparently the garden.”
For the first time, Claire laughed.
But Sabrina still had one card left.
During a preliminary hearing, she requested permission to address the court.
The judge allowed it.
Sabrina stood.
She looked directly at Ethan.
“You think Claire came back because she loves you?”
Ethan said nothing.
“She came back for the money.”
Claire remained calm.
Sabrina continued.
“She could have contacted you any time.”
“That’s enough,” her attorney whispered.
Sabrina ignored him.
“She stayed hidden because she wanted the trust.”
Ethan finally answered.
“No.”
Sabrina smiled.
“You’re still naive.”
Ethan leaned forward.
“She came back because her daughter needed somewhere safe.”
Sabrina’s smile disappeared.
“And you tried to attack that child with a baseball bat.”
The courtroom went silent.
Ethan continued.
“You spent years making me believe Claire was my enemy.”
He looked at his sister.
“I’m not making that mistake again.”
Sabrina sat down.
For the first time, she looked defeated.
But Claire noticed Victor Dane watching from the back of the courtroom.
And he wasn’t looking at Sabrina.
He was looking at the exit.
May you like
Then he stood.
And ran.
