Chapter 14 - The Midnight Discovery
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Victoria stepped into the dark study, holding a silk robe tight against the chill. She wasn't looking for Nathaniel; she walked straight toward Douglas's desk, searching for something.
From the shadows, Nathaniel watched as she picked up a folder. It was the NDA and the custody relinquishment forms meant for Clare.
Victoria opened the folder, read the terms, and scoffed quietly in the dark.
"Stupid old man," Victoria whispered to herself. "You think she'll actually leave the child?"
She pulled a silver lighter from her pocket, flicked it open, and set the documents on fire, dropping the burning papers into the metal trash can beside the desk.
Nathaniel’s eyes widened. Victoria didn't want to raise Clare's baby. She wanted the baby gone completely.
The download on his laptop finished with a soft ping.
Victoria spun around, dropping the lighter. "Who's there?"
Nathaniel stepped out of the shadows, slamming the laptop shut and tucking it under his arm.
"Burning contracts, Victoria?" Nathaniel asked coldly. "That's destruction of property."
Victoria recovered quickly, smoothing her hair. "Nathaniel. What are you doing in here?"
"Getting the leverage I need to put my father in a cage," he replied, walking toward the door. "The engagement is off. And if you try to stop me, I'll release the files showing Bowmont Global's involvement in the laundering scheme, too."
Victoria's face twisted into an ugly snarl. "You think you can just walk away? You think that little pregnant rat is worth throwing away an empire?"
"She is worth more than this entire corrupted family," Nathaniel spat.
He turned his back on her and walked out, heading straight for the stairs to get Clare.
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Behind him, Victoria pulled her cell phone from her pocket, dialing a number.
"Eleanor," Victoria hissed into the phone. "Nathaniel is betraying us. He has the files. We need to handle the girl. Now."
