Chapter 8: Gerald Makes His Move
The motion to accelerate the probate hearing was granted on a Thursday.
Gerald's response arrived the following Monday — not through his attorneys, but through the press.
Maya was in the back of a car on her way to Arthur's office when her phone began filling with notifications.
A financial journalist had published a long piece under the headline: *Whitfield Heir Claim Built on Forged Documents, Sources Say.* The article cited three anonymous sources close to the Whitfield family.
It described the orchid ring as a "known reproduction." It questioned Dr.
Lowe's mental competency.
It mentioned, in the final paragraph, that Maya had a prior arrest record.
Maya read the article twice.
She did not have a prior arrest record.
She called Arthur.
"I've seen it," he said before she could speak.
"We're already drafting a response.
The arrest record claim is fabricated — we'll have a correction published by end of day.
The ring authentication was completed by two independent gemologists last week.
Their reports are already filed with the court."
"He's trying to discredit me before the hearing," Maya said.
"Yes."
"Can he delay it with this?"
"He can try.
He won't succeed." Arthur paused.
"But there's something else.
Dr.
Lowe called this morning.
She received a visit last night.
Two men came to her home and told her that her witness statement would be challenged and that she should consider withdrawing it to avoid the stress of a public proceeding."
Maya's jaw tightened.
"She's seventy-three years old."
"She is.
She also told them, and I am quoting directly, that she had been waiting eighteen months to tell the truth about Eleanor's will and that they were welcome to challenge her in open court."
Despite everything, Maya almost smiled.
"Good."
"There's more," Arthur said.
"Julian has been going through the Whitfield Group's financial records — the ones we were granted access to as part of the probate filing.
He found something."
"What kind of something?"
"The kind that suggests Gerald has been moving assets out of the estate since before Eleanor passed.
Not after.
Before." A pause.
"We believe he knew she was dying and began restructuring ownership of several properties to entities he controls personally.
If that's confirmed, it isn't just a probate dispute."
Maya looked out the car window.
They were passing through midtown, the buildings tall and indifferent on both sides.
"It's fraud," she said.
"It's fraud," Arthur confirmed.
"We've referred the financial records to the U.S.
Attorney's office.
Informally, for now.
But formally, if the hearing goes the way we expect."
The car stopped in front of Arthur's building.
Maya sat for a moment before opening the door.
"He threatened my daughter," she said.
"In a text message.
I forwarded it to you the night it came."
"I have it," Arthur said.
"It's been preserved."
"Make sure it's part of the record."
"It already is."
She got out of the car and walked into the building.
In the lobby, a woman was waiting near the elevator bank.
Late sixties, well-dressed, standing very still.
It took Maya a moment to place her.
Olivia Vance.
Richard's mother.
Maya stopped.
Olivia looked at her with an expression that was not quite guilt and not quite defiance.
Something between the two, unresolved.
May you like
"I'd like to speak with you," Olivia said.
"Please."
