Chapter 11 - The TrusteeSubtitle: Richard Thought He Owned My ChildrenRichard believed he had won.

That was his mistake.

He always assumed money made people predictable.

Daniel was predictable.

Karen was predictable.

His lawyers were predictable.

But I wasn't.

I stared at the document in his hand.

"You really think you control Leo's trust?"

"I do."

"Because Daniel is trustee."

Richard smiled.

"Exactly."

I looked at Daniel.

He was still tied to the chair.

"Your father used you."

Daniel whispered:

"I know."

Richard laughed.

"Don't listen to him."

I stepped forward.

"You amended the trust."

"Correct."

"You made Daniel trustee."

"Correct."

"And you assumed Daniel would remain under your control."

Richard's smile faded slightly.

"Families work together."

I shook my head.

"No."

I pulled a second document from my coat.

"They used to."

Richard stared.

"What is that?"

"The judicial order freezing the trust."

His face changed.

"That's impossible."

"Not anymore."

"You can't freeze a private trust."

"Normally."

I smiled.

"But there is evidence of fraud, attempted kidnapping, forged legal documents, financial manipulation, and witness intimidation."

I held up another sheet.

"Under emergency fiduciary protection laws, I can request a court-supervised freeze."

Richard stared at me.

"You won't."

"I already did."

His face turned white.

Sirens sounded outside.

Richard suddenly reached for Daniel.

"Get up!"

Daniel struggled.

Mike's officers stormed through the doors.

"Richard Sterling!"

Richard panicked.

He grabbed Daniel by the throat.

"Nobody comes closer!"

Mike aimed his weapon.

"Let him go."

Richard tightened his grip.

"You think you've won?"

I looked at him.

"No."

I stepped forward.

"I know."

Then Daniel said quietly:

"Father..."

Richard turned.

Daniel headbutted him.

Mike moved instantly.

Richard was thrown to the floor.

Handcuffs snapped around his wrists.

He screamed.

"You ungrateful bastard!"

Daniel stared at him.

"You sold my wife."

Then he looked at me.

"And I let you."

Richard was taken away.

But the night wasn't over.

Victoria called.

"Elena."

"What?"

"We found the trust's original beneficiary record."

"Who?"

Silence.

"Your children."

"Both?"

"No."

My heart stopped.

"Only one."

"Which one?"

Victoria whispered:

"Luna."

I froze.

"That makes no sense."

She continued.

"According to the original trust, the first female descendant inherits the controlling shares."

I stared at Daniel.

"Then why did Richard say Leo?"

Daniel's expression changed.

Because he knew.

"Your mother," he whispered.

I turned.

"What about her?"

Daniel swallowed.

"Your father didn't die alone."

"What are you talking about?"

"Your mother was there."

My blood ran cold.

"She left before the police arrived."

I stared at him.

"Why?"

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Daniel looked away.

"Because she was the one who gave Richard the original documents."