Chapter 13 - The Masked Intruder
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Silence descended upon the dark room like a heavy shroud.
Sarah Mercer slowly lowered her syringe, looking between me and Daniel in complete shock. "What? What did you just say?"
"Arthur Dawson," I repeated, looking directly at Sarah. "Claire’s father was a history teacher, but before that, his family owned the historic land grants for the entire Decatur district. When Arthur died twenty years ago, he left the land titles in a private trust for his only daughter—Claire."
I turned my fierce gaze onto Daniel.
"Sixteen years ago, when Claire and I were just dating, Daniel found the title records buried in the city registry," I revealed. "He realized that if Claire ever found out what her father owned, she would be the rightful owner of our company's entire development site. So Daniel forged Arthur Dawson’s signature, transferred the land to Walter Mercer as a shell owner, and then blackmailed Mercer to sell it to us!"
Sarah turned to Daniel, her face contorting with rage. "You told me my father was the victim! You told me Mason’s family stole from us!"
"He lied to you, Sarah!" I yelled. "He used your medical access to poison Claire because Claire is the only person whose signature can legally overturn the Decatur acquisition! If Claire died, the land would go into probate, allowing Daniel to claim the forged offshore trust he set up sixteen years ago!"
"Shut up! SHUT UP!" Daniel screamed, his face turning beet red as he raised the revolver directly at my chest. "It doesn't matter! None of it matters! I built that company just as much as you did, Mason! You got the money, the fame, the beautiful wife, and the legacy! I got a scarred face and sixteen years in hiding!"
"Because you were a criminal, Daniel!" I shouted back.
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"I am taking what's mine!" Daniel roared, pulling the hammer back on his revolver. "Say goodbye, Mason!"
Suddenly, the floor-to-ceiling glass window behind Daniel shattered inward with a deafening CRASH!
