Chapter 7 - The Trap is Set
The burning car at the gate proved one terrifying thing: Julian hadn't fled the country. He was still in San Francisco, hiding in the shadows, watching our every move.
"He wants to break us mentally," Uncle Thomas said that evening, standing over a tactical map of the city spread out on the dining table. "He’s trying to make Arthur paranoid, force him into making a mistake."
"He won't make a mistake," I said, stepping up to the table. "Because we're going to give him exactly what he wants."
Arthur turned to look at me, surprised. "What do you mean, Clara?"
"Julian wants the final execution of the forged will," I explained, my voice steady and firm. "He needs Arthur to be legally declared incompetent so Vanguard Logistics can file the takeover motion in probate court."
"I am not going to pretend to be incompetent, Clara," Arthur said, frowning.
"You don't have to," I said, a sharp, clever idea taking shape in my mind. "We announce to the media tomorrow that you suffered a severe stroke brought on by the stress of Eleanor’s trial. We leak a fake medical report to the press stating you are in a coma at St. Jude’s Private Hospital."
Uncle Thomas’s eyes lit up. "A honeypot trap."
"Exactly," I continued. "The moment Julian hears Arthur is in a coma, he will have to surface to present the forged will to Arthur’s legal team before the court appoints me as the sole conservator. He’ll come out of hiding to sign the final transfer papers."
"It’s dangerous, Clara," Maria whispered, holding Maya in her arms near the doorway. "What if he comes after you instead?"
"He won't come after me until he secures the money," I said, looking at my father. "Dad, this is the only way to drag him out of the dark."
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Arthur looked at me for a long moment. He saw the fire in my eyes—the same determination that had driven me to protect my daughter on the night she was almost taken from me.
"Do it," Arthur said softly. "Set the trap."
