Chapter 4 - THE FORTY-EIGHT-MILLION-DOLLAR TRAP
By midnight, my name was attached to forty-eight million dollars I had never seen.
And according to the documents Rachel uncovered, Julian had arranged it that way.
I sat in Gabriel's penthouse library while Manhattan glittered beyond the windows.
Gabriel had offered me the guest suite after the gala.
I accepted because I couldn't bear the thought of returning to my apartment alone while reporters crowded the sidewalk.
But I made one thing clear.
"I don't want you solving my life for me."
He looked at me over his coffee.
"I wouldn't dream of it."
I almost smiled.
"That's a dangerous promise."
"I know."
He sat across from me.
For several minutes, we reviewed the documents Rachel had sent.
The transfers had been routed through several investment companies.
Some were legitimate.
Others existed only on paper.
But one detail caught my attention.
The account had been opened five months before Julian filed for divorce.
Using a photocopy of my passport.
My old address.
And a forged signature.
I stared at the screen.
"He planned everything."
Gabriel didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
Julian had known he wanted to leave me.
He'd arranged the financial deception.
He'd manipulated the medical records.
And then he'd allowed the entire world to believe our marriage ended because I couldn't conceive.
My stomach tightened.
I placed a hand over the baby.
Gabriel noticed.
"Are you feeling okay?"
"He's moving."
Gabriel's expression softened.
"Active tonight?"
"Apparently he has opinions about financial fraud."
Gabriel laughed quietly.
Then his face grew serious.
"Khloe, there's something I should tell you."
I looked up.
"What?"
"The Duval family has been trying to acquire Lancaster Medical Technologies for almost a year."
I frowned.
"Your company?"
He nodded.
"Julian submitted three offers. I rejected all of them."
"Why?"
"Because the acquisition would give him access to sensitive medical research contracts."
Something clicked in my mind.
The Allesian Hearts Foundation.
The fertility clinic.
The missing money.
The medical research program.
"Gabriel, is there a connection?"
He hesitated.
"Possibly."
I stared.
"Tell me."
He opened a document.
It showed an investment fund linked to Duval Holdings.
The same fund had financed the clinic administrator who altered my records.
My blood ran cold.
"This wasn't just about our divorce."
Gabriel nodded.
"No."
"Then what was it about?"
He looked directly at me.
"I believe Julian used your identity to conceal investments in an illegal medical data operation."
I felt sick.
For years, I'd thought the worst thing Julian stole from me was my dignity.
Now I realized he may have stolen something far more dangerous.
My legal identity.
My financial future.
And possibly the private medical information of hundreds of vulnerable women.
Then Rachel called again.
Her voice was urgent.
"Khloe, don't sign anything Julian sends you."
"Why?"
"He's just filed an emergency court petition."
My heart jumped.
"What kind of petition?"
Rachel took a breath.
"He's claiming you're mentally unfit to manage your financial affairs."
I couldn't speak.
May you like
Then she added the detail that made Gabriel stand.
"Julian is asking the court to appoint himself as your temporary financial guardian."
