Chapter 5 - THE BURDEN OF TRUTH.
“Trespassing?” Vivian shrieked. “I have the deed to this house! I have a court order granting me full stewardship of the estate.”
Arthur remained unmoved.
“You possessed a forged stewardship obtained through bribery while the true heir was a minor.”
He gestured toward Jasper’s glowing collar.
“The device is a multilayered cryptographic key. It registers the DNA, body temperature and iris patterns of the designated guardian, Miss Maya Sterling. If unauthorized personnel attempt to harm her or interfere with the device, an absolute financial failsafe activates.”
Maya slowly stood.
For a decade, she had been conditioned to believe she was a burden living on Vivian’s generosity.
Now she understood that her father had spent his final days building an invisible fortress around her.
“You have no proof!” Vivian shouted. “I will call the mayor. I will call the police chief. I paid for their campaigns!”
“You may call whomever you wish,” Arthur replied. “The freeze was initiated by the SEC and the FBI. Your assets are being seized under suspicion of grand larceny, wire fraud and child endangerment.”
Vivian’s phone slipped from her hand and shattered on the marble.
May you like
A junior lawyer placed it inside an evidence bag.
Then heavy vehicles began entering the estate’s circular driveway.
