Chapter 3 - The Warning
The computer cables had been cut cleanly.
Not unplugged.
Cut.
Daniel stared at the empty desk.
“My private files were on that machine.”
Claire looked toward the shattered chandelier.
“So someone cut the cable and stole the records.”
Maya remained beside her.
Daniel still had not apologized.
Not for the accusation.
Not for the knife.
Not for treating the woman who saved his wife like a criminal.
Maya noticed.
So did Claire.
“What records?” Claire asked.
Daniel hesitated.
The pause frightened her more than an immediate answer.
“Daniel.”
“Family trust documents.”
Claire’s hand moved instinctively toward her stomach.
“What documents?”
“A temporary proxy.”
She stared.
“You told me the papers tonight were insurance forms.”
“They are related.”
“That is not an answer.”
Daniel looked away.
The proxy would have transferred Claire’s voting authority to him if she became medically unable to manage her affairs during pregnancy.
Maya’s face hardened.
“You were asking her to sign away control.”
“Temporarily.”
“Rich people love that word,” Maya replied.
Daniel glared at her.
Claire interrupted.
“She is allowed to speak.”
The words surprised everyone.
For years, Daniel had corrected Claire whenever she became too familiar with household employees.
Staff should not be placed in the middle of family matters.
Now Claire looked at Maya.
“What exactly did you hear?”
Maya swallowed.
“Your mother-in-law called this afternoon.”
Daniel went pale.
“She told someone the proxy had to be signed before midnight.”
“Who was she speaking to?”
“I don’t know.”
Maya looked at the broken chandelier.
“But she said one more thing.”
Claire waited.
May you like
Maya’s voice became quiet.
“She said if you refused, they would give you a reason to feel unsafe.”
