Chapter 8 - THE DOCUMENT THAT MADE HER HUSBAND THE ENEMY
Clare stared at the transfer agreement.
Her name appeared at the bottom.
So did Adrienne's.
The document claimed she had voluntarily transferred her inherited shares to her husband.
Shares worth more than ninety million dollars.
Clare felt sick.
"Adrienne didn't tell me about this."
Rebecca looked serious.
"We don't know whether he knew."
Clare shook her head.
"His name is on it."
"That doesn't establish he signed it."
She knew Rebecca was right.
But after what happened in the foyer, trusting Adrienne's innocence felt impossible.
Her phone rang.
Adrienne.
She stared at the screen.
Then answered.
"Did you know about the share transfer?"
Silence.
"What transfer?"
"Don't lie to me."
"Clare, I don't know what you're talking about."
She closed her eyes.
"My father's shares. The ninety-million-dollar interest."
Adrienne sounded confused.
"I only learned about the inheritance today."
"And apparently someone wants you to own it."
Another silence.
Then he said quietly:
"Send me the document."
Clare looked toward Rebecca.
Her attorney nodded.
Clare forwarded the file.
A minute later, Adrienne called back.
His voice had changed.
"That's not my signature."
Clare swallowed.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Then who signed it?"
"I don't know."
His breathing sounded uneven.
"Clare, this document transfers ownership to a holding company controlled by my aunt."
She stared.
"What?"
"Look at the beneficiary details. My name is listed as nominal owner, but the shares would be held through Duca Heritage Management."
Rebecca quickly examined the paperwork.
Her expression changed.
"He's right."
Clare felt cold.
Victoria had intended to use Adrienne as a figurehead.
If the transfer succeeded, Victoria would control the shares.
And Adrienne would appear responsible.
The entire plan was more sophisticated than Clare had imagined.
Then Rebecca's phone rang.
Detective Mitchell.
"Rebecca, we located Harold Pierce."
Rebecca put the call on speaker.
"Where?"
"At a private residence outside Manhattan."
"Is he cooperating?"
"He agreed to speak after we showed him the forged transfer."
Clare leaned forward.
"What did he say?"
Mitchell hesitated.
"He claims Victoria threatened his family."
Clare's stomach tightened.
"And?"
"He says the share transfer was only one part of the plan."
"What else?"
Mitchell's voice grew serious.
"Victoria intended to accuse Adrienne of financial crimes after the transfer."
Clare stared.
"So she wanted to destroy both of us."
"That's what the evidence suggests."
Then Mitchell added the detail that made Clare's blood run cold.
"Pierce says Victoria had arranged for someone to enter the Duca mansion tonight."
Clare felt a sudden chill.
"Why?"
"To retrieve the final evidence from Adrienne's father's private study."
She looked toward Rebecca.
Then whispered:
May you like
"Vincent Duca's study has been locked for ten years."
And according to Pierce, Victoria had the only surviving key.
