The Price of Silence
Chapter 10 - The Price of Silence
The trust changed everything.
If valid, Emma was entitled to a significant stake in the original Mercer family assets.
Richard immediately attacked the document.
Forgery.
Outdated language.
Invalid conditions.
His lawyers moved fast.
So did the press.
Suddenly Emma was no longer “the waitress accused of stealing.”
She was “the secret Mercer heiress.”
She hated both versions.
Neither one knew her.
At the hospital, Laura watched a news report and turned it off.
“I’m sorry.”
Emma sat beside her.
“For what?”
“For giving you their storm.”
“You gave me the truth.”
Laura shook her head.
“I should have told you earlier.”
Emma took her hand.
“Maybe.”
Laura smiled weakly.
“That’s honest.”
Outside the room, Julian waited with coffee.
He was learning.
He did not enter without asking anymore.
Emma joined him in the hallway.
“Did you know about the trust?”
“No.”
“Would you have told me?”
“Yes.”
She studied him.
“I believe you.”
That seemed to matter more to him than she expected.
Then Marcus called.
Police had traced the messages sent to Claire.
They came from a prepaid phone purchased by Richard’s chief of staff.
But the payment card belonged to Victoria Lang.
Emma stared at Julian.
“Victoria?”
Julian looked equally shocked.
Victoria had been furious about the bracelet.
She had also been the victim.
Or appeared to be.
An hour later, Victoria arrived at the hospital.
She asked to speak to Emma alone.
“I owe you the truth,” she said.
Emma folded her arms.
Victoria’s eyes filled with shame.
“My bracelet was never stolen from my wrist.”
May you like
Emma felt cold.
“I gave it to Claire.”
