Chapter 8 - The Trap is Set
I let his words hang in the air, ensuring the microphone caught every chilling threat, every admission of financial fraud, and every detail of their plan.
"So, let me make sure I understand," I said, leaning in, pretending to waver. "If I sign the joint guardianship papers tonight, you will drop the custody petition, and Lily stays with me until she goes to boarding school?"
"Exactly," Daniel said, believing he had won. He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a set of legal documents, sliding them toward me alongside a sleek pen. "Sign right here. Let's put this unpleasantness behind us."
I picked up the pen, staring at the signature line.
"And what about Victoria?" I asked. "Is she going to apologize to my daughter for locking her in that room?"
Daniel laughed softly. "My mother doesn't apologize, Rachel. She did what was necessary. Honestly, you should thank her. She kept the kid out of the way so we could focus on what mattered."
"Thank you, Daniel," I said, putting the pen down. "That’s all I needed to hear."
Daniel frowned, his eyes darting to the pen, then to my face. "What are you talking about? Sign the papers."
"I’m not signing anything," I said, standing up.
"Rachel, don't play games with me!" Daniel rose from his chair, his face flush with anger, reaching out to grab my arm.
Before his fingers could touch my sleeve, two men in dark suits stepped forward from the adjacent table. One of them was Marcus’s private investigator; the other was an off-duty police detective Marcus had hired to oversee the sting.
"Daniel Vance?" the detective said, flashing his badge. "Step away from the lady."
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Daniel froze, his face turning pale. "What is the meaning of this? This is a private family matter."
"Not anymore," Marcus said, walking up to the table with a calm, triumphant smile. "We have your entire conversation recorded, Mr. Vance. Along with the original note from your mother detailing your plan to commit grand larceny and child endangerment. The police are currently executing a search warrant at your mother's estate."
