Chapter 4 - THE INHERITANCE NOBODY MENTIONED
“What inheritance?”
Aurora's voice sounded strangely distant.
“My mother was a waitress. She died when I was nineteen. We barely had enough money for rent.”
Dante studied the document.
According to the records, Aurora's mother, Elena Reyes, had inherited a substantial interest in a private holding company called Northstar Capital.
But the documents had been sealed seventeen years earlier.
“Someone put everything in a trust under your name,” Dante explained.
Aurora laughed bitterly.
“That's impossible.”
“Why?”
“Because I've spent the last five years choosing between electricity and groceries.”
Dante looked at her worn sneakers.
Then at the pastry boxes she had carried through the lobby.
His expression changed.
He had seen wealthy men waste millions on watches.
Yet this woman had spent years struggling while someone apparently controlled an inheritance intended for her.
“Who managed your mother's affairs after she died?”
“Richard Whitlock.”
Dante's eyes narrowed.
“Braden's father?”
Aurora nodded.
“He said he was helping us. He handled Mom's medical bills and arranged the funeral.”
“Did he ever ask you to sign anything?”
She thought carefully.
“Yes. When I turned twenty-one. He said it was paperwork closing Mom's old accounts.”
Dante leaned back.
A terrible possibility was forming.
Richard Whitlock had not merely helped Aurora.
He might have stolen from her.
And Braden's relationship with her might not have been accidental.
Dante opened another file.
A series of payments appeared.
Each had been transferred from Northstar Capital to Whitlock Holdings.
The last payment had been authorized three days earlier.
For $18 million.
Aurora stared at the screen.
“Who signed that?”
Dante enlarged the signature.
Her name appeared in elegant handwriting.
Aurora shook her head.
“I never signed that.”
Dante's expression turned cold.
“Someone forged your signature.”
Then Aurora noticed the date on a second document.
It was a marriage agreement.
May you like
Her name was already printed beside Braden's.
And the wedding date was tomorrow.
