Chapter 6 - The Children Hidden Behind Staff Housing
Catherine revealed that Vale Estates had operated a private adoption network through employee housing and medical clinics.
Pregnant workers were told their babies had died or required expensive treatment.
The children were placed with wealthy Vale relatives, donors and executives.
The worker-ownership shares were legally attached to those descendants.
Maria’s ledger tracked money.
Catherine’s ledger tracked children.
Evelyn dismissed the records as emotional blackmail.
“We gave those children homes their mothers could never afford.”
Maria’s voice became thunderous.
“You stole babies from women whose wages built your mansions, then used the mansions as proof they were unfit.”
Laura discovered her own name in the adoption ledger.
Her biological mother was listed as Ana Morales, a vineyard worker who vanished after demanding unpaid wages.
Evelyn had raised Laura as her daughter to control Ana’s ownership claim.
Laura faced the woman she had called Mother.
“You mocked my birth family at every dinner while knowing you stole me from them.”
Evelyn answered coldly.
“I gave you education, status and a life beyond service work.”
Laura removed the Vale necklace from her throat.
“You gave me luxury purchased with my mother’s silence. Do not call theft love.”
Agents reopened dozens of adoptions.
Then Isabella found Daniel’s name beside Laura’s.
He had also been taken from an employee family.
Daniel and Laura were not siblings by blood.
But Catherine revealed something worse.
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They had been selected to marry each other once Evelyn secured full control.
The pool incident was meant to remove Laura before she discovered the arrangement.
