Chapter 8 - THE PREGNANT WOMAN WITH CLAIRE’S FILE.
Amanda admitted she visited Claire at the recovery center.
The family attorney introduced them before Amanda’s engagement to Michael.
Amanda was hired to evaluate whether Claire remembered enough to challenge the apartment sale.
When Claire began recovering, Amanda helped move her to another property.
She claimed she believed Claire was receiving protection.
Claire answered calmly.
“You took my phone and told Lily I was dead.”
Amanda’s tears appeared quickly.
She said Margaret threatened to destroy her career and remove her from the family if she refused.
Claire did not excuse her.
“You were afraid of losing wealth. I was afraid of losing my child.”
The difference silenced the room.
Michael asked whether the pregnancy was part of the plan.
Amanda protected her belly.
“The baby is yours.”
Claire opened the hospital file Amanda carried.
It showed Amanda had used fertility treatment financed by the Carter Foundation before meeting Michael publicly.
The legal consent form named a different intended father.
The family attorney.
Michael’s expression hardened.
Amanda insisted the form was administrative.
Then Claire produced a photograph from the clinic.
Margaret stood beside Amanda during the procedure.
On the back, Margaret had written:
May you like
“The new heir must arrive before Lily turns ten.”
Lily’s birthday was six days away.
