Chapter 12 - The Ghost in the Paperwork
By morning, the reality of Maya’s presence cast a tense shadow over Evelyn's office. Marcus Thorne was not just a billionaire; he was a man with deep, corrupt ties to the city’s underground.
Evelyn was reviewing Maya's intake forms when her assistant knocked on the door, looking pale.
"Evelyn, there is a courier here. He refused to leave this with anyone but you."
Evelyn took the thick manila envelope. Inside was a legal summons. Marcus Thorne wasn't just looking for his wife; he was attacking Evelyn’s foundation directly. The document outlined a hidden lien on Blackthorn Manor—a buried clause from Adrian’s original purchase that Marcus claimed gave his holding company the right to seize the property.
"He is trying to evict us," Evelyn said, her voice eerily calm.
Her father, who was visiting for morning coffee, frowned. "Can he do that? Adrian surrendered this estate to the trust."
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"Marcus is looking for leverage to force me to hand Maya over," Evelyn replied, tossing the document onto her desk. "He thinks he can use my sanctuary as a bargaining chip."
She picked up her phone. "He’s about to find out I don't bargain with terrorists."
