Chapter 2: The Signature She Never Gave
A slim platinum band circled Claire’s finger, matching the one on Adrian’s hand.
Richard gripped the table.
“Claire, what is this?”
“My wife,” Adrian said calmly.
“And the woman who controls Northstar’s largest voting stake.”
Patricia sank into a chair.
Vanessa stared at Claire’s stained apron.
“That’s impossible.
She’s a freelance consultant.”
Claire’s face burned, but Adrian tightened his hand around hers.
“That is what your family chose to believe.”
Richard stepped forward.
“Claire has always been unstable.
Whatever she told you—”
“Be careful,” Adrian interrupted.
“I know exactly what happened six years ago.”
Silence swept across the room.
Then Adrian placed a sealed folder beside Richard’s untouched dinner.
Across the front were the words: WHITMORE HOLDINGS—INTERNAL REVIEW.
Claire looked at him.
“You said we would wait.”
“We did,” Adrian replied.
“Until your father tried to sell Northstar a partnership using your name.”
Richard’s glass slipped from his fingers.
Adrian opened the folder and removed a document bearing Claire’s signature.
“There is only one problem.
Claire never signed this.”
Tyler leaned closer, then whispered, “Dad…
why is my name on the witness line?”
Richard’s face changed—and Claire suddenly understood why her father had kept her hidden in the kitchen.
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What had Richard and Tyler done in Claire’s name six years ago?
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