Chapter 16 - THE DIVORCE TRAP
Elena’s divorce petition was ready.
Her new attorney, Rachel Kim, stopped her from filing it.
“If you file before we invalidate the amendment, Adrian may gain control of the estate.”
Elena stared at the document on Rachel’s desk.
“So I remain married to the man who betrayed me.”
“For now.”
“What happens if he files first?”
“The same clause applies.”
Elena read the amendment carefully.
Margaret had placed temporary control of the estate in the hands of Elena’s legal spouse if Elena died, disappeared, became incapacitated, or initiated divorce before the age of thirty-five.
Elena would turn thirty-five in eight weeks.
Someone had been pushing her toward divorce before that deadline.
Victoria’s public accusation.
The forged financial evidence.
Adrian’s betrayal.
Every event had been designed to destroy the marriage quickly.
“Benjamin created this trap.”
Rachel shook her head.
“The amendment was signed by Margaret.”
“Benjamin drafted it.”
“Why would Margaret agree?”
“Perhaps she believed marriage would protect you.”
Elena remembered Margaret’s fear during her final months.
Someone may have manipulated her.
Mason received the forensic report on the sealed amendment.
Margaret’s signature was genuine.
Adrian’s witness signature was genuine.
However, the final page had been printed on different paper.
The divorce clause had been added after Margaret signed.
Benjamin had replaced the original page.
That should have solved everything.
It did not.
The original page was missing.
Without it, Benjamin’s attorneys could argue that the amendment remained valid.
Victoria filed an emergency petition claiming Elena had mismanaged the estate.
Catherine filed a competing claim as Isabel’s biological daughter.
Adrian’s creditors demanded control of the property as marital security.
Three cases now surrounded the estate.
During the first court hearing, Victoria entered wearing white.
She smiled at Elena from across the aisle.
Benjamin arrived with his arm in a sling.
He had been released from the hospital and charged with financial fraud.
He claimed Catherine had framed him.
Then Adrian entered with his attorneys.
Elena expected him to sit beside Victoria.
Instead, he approached the judge.
“I wish to waive any claim to my wife’s estate.”
His attorney whispered urgently.
Adrian ignored him.
“I also wish to provide evidence that the amendment was altered.”
The judge asked what evidence he possessed.
Adrian removed a small flash drive from his pocket.
“Benjamin recorded every meeting he had with Margaret Hartley.”
“He kept those recordings as insurance.”
Benjamin stood up.
“That drive was stolen.”
Adrian faced him.
“It was given to me by the woman you tried to kill.”
The courtroom doors opened.
May you like
Margaret Hartley’s former housekeeper walked inside.
She had been missing for two years.
