CHAPTER 2 — The Will They Tried to Bury
Christopher didn't go inside the mansion.
Not yet.
Emma was still trembling in his arms.
He wrapped her in his suit jacket while the ambulance checked her breathing.
She never let go of his hand.
Across the courtyard, security escorted Juliette toward the front gate.
She kept shouting Christopher's name.
He never looked back.
Instead, he turned to Yvette.
"How long?"
The elderly housekeeper lowered her eyes.
"Longer than you want to hear."
She handed him a small envelope.
Inside were photographs.
Emma sitting alone in the dining room while everyone else celebrated Christmas.
Bruises hidden beneath long sleeves.
School reports Christopher had never seen.
Medical appointments canceled without his approval.
Each picture felt like another knife.
"You tried to tell me," Christopher whispered.
"I did," Yvette replied softly.
"But someone made sure my letters never reached you."
Christopher already knew who.
His mother.
Estelle Pierce.
The woman who controlled every employee...
Every account...
Every decision inside the estate.
His phone rang.
It was the family attorney.
"Mr. Pierce... you need to come to the office immediately."
"Why?"
"There has been an attempt to amend your father's original will."
Christopher froze.
"My father died eight years ago."
"Yes."
"But someone recently submitted documents removing Emma from every inheritance."
Christopher looked toward the mansion.
The curtains on the second floor moved again.
Someone was watching.
May you like
His mother knew the recording existed.
And she was already making her next move.
