Chapter 4 - The Forty-Eight Million Dollar Daughter.
Ava read the number three times because her mind refused to accept that eight digits could belong to her life without her knowing.
Forty-eight million dollars sat in a trust created by Elena Mercer before her disappearance.
The document listed Ava as the sole beneficiary on her twenty-fifth birthday.
That birthday was tonight.
Nolan stopped pretending to be confused.
His expression sharpened into something colder than arrogance.
"Give me that."
James placed one hand over the document.
"Try."
Nolan stayed where he was.
Elena explained that her technology company had owned a portfolio of patents used in high-security building systems.
Before she disappeared, she had placed her controlling shares into a trust for Ava because she feared Victor would attempt to seize them.
The trust could not be transferred before Ava turned twenty-five.
It also contained an unusual condition.
Any spouse Ava legally married within thirty days of her birthday could gain temporary voting authority if Ava signed a specific management agreement.
Ava looked at Nolan.
Their wedding was scheduled for twelve days later.
Suddenly every rushed decision of the last six months rearranged itself into a pattern.
The venue Nolan had insisted on reserving immediately.
The prenuptial documents his family's attorney kept revising.
The management agreement Nolan had placed between wedding papers and told her was routine.
The way he became furious when she asked to delay the ceremony.
Ava covered her mouth.
"You weren't marrying me."
Nolan wiped the last frosting from his jaw.
"Don't be ridiculous."
"You were marrying the trust."
Victor stepped forward.
"Ava, you are emotional and confused."
James turned on him.
"She is neither."
Celeste tried another approach.
"Your mother is manipulating you because she wants the money herself."
Elena gave a tired smile.
"I cannot touch a dollar of it."
She slid the trust instrument across the table.
"I designed it that way."
Ava's eyes burned.
"Why didn't you come for me sooner?"
Elena looked down.
"I tried."
The answer hurt more than any excuse could have.
"How many times?"
"Seven."
James stared at her.
Elena described letters intercepted by attorneys, phone calls blocked by private security, and two escape attempts that ended with her returned to the facility under court orders signed by a judge now sitting on the board of a Price charity.
Her final escape had succeeded four months earlier when a new nurse questioned the medication records.
Since then Elena had stayed hidden while gathering evidence.
Ava glanced at Nolan.
"Four months."
Nolan looked away.
"Did you know she escaped?"
He said nothing.
Ava's voice became stronger.
"Did you know?"
Victor answered for him.
"Enough."
Elena opened another envelope.
"Three weeks ago Nolan was informed that I was alive and free."
Ava felt a pressure behind her ribs.
Three weeks ago was when Nolan had begun checking her phone every night.
Three weeks ago was when the first bruise appeared.
James saw the realization on her face.
"What did he do?"
Ava shook her head because shame arrived before words.
Nolan pointed at Elena.
"She is poisoning you against me."
Ava looked directly at him.
For the first time that night, she did not lower her eyes.
"You did that yourself."
A vibration sounded from inside Nolan's suit jacket.
His phone screen lit through the fabric.
He pulled it out, glanced at the message, and went pale.
Elena noticed.
"Who is it?"
Nolan locked the screen.
James held out his hand.
"Phone."
Nolan smiled without humor.
"No."
Before anyone could move, a heavy steel fire door slammed shut across the hallway leading to the mansion's west wing.
May you like
The security voice returned.
"Archive purge initiated."
