Chapter 5: The Contract Hidden In My House
I told security not to let Evelyn near Clara.
For the first time in my life, I gave an order against my own mother.
And it felt worse than I expected.
Because part of me was still searching for an explanation.
A mistake.
A misunderstanding.
Anything that would allow me to believe the woman who raised me wasn’t capable of hurting my family.
But every piece of evidence pointed in one direction.
Evelyn had made a choice.
And she had chosen control over love.
The next morning, Marcus entered my office carrying the folder from the nursery footage.
“We found it.””
I looked up.
“What is it?””
He placed it on the desk.
“Legal documents.””
I opened the folder.
The first page made my blood run cold.
A custody agreement.
Not finalized.
Not filed.
But prepared.
My name was on it.
Noah’s name was on it.
And at the bottom was my mother’s signature.
“She planned this?””
Marcus nodded.
“There’s more.””
I flipped through the pages.
The documents claimed Clara was unstable after childbirth.
That she was incapable of caring for Noah.
That Evelyn should temporarily become the child’s guardian.
I felt sick.
“She was building a case.””
“Yes.””
“For what?””
Marcus looked at me.
“To take your son.””
I closed the folder.
“No.””
My voice came out low.
“No one takes my child.””
The office door opened.
Marissa stepped inside.
“I need to tell you something else.””
I looked at her.
“What?””
She hesitated.
“It wasn’t only Evelyn.””
I already knew what she meant.
“Victor.””
She nodded.
“Victor was helping her create evidence.””
“How?””
Marissa sat down.
“He recorded Clara when she was exhausted. He asked questions designed to make her sound confused.””
My hands tightened.
“He was setting her up.””
“Yes.””
I stood and walked toward the window.
Outside, the city moved like nothing had happened.
Cars.
People.
Normal life.
But inside my world, everything had changed.
“Why would my mother do this?””
Marissa looked down.
“Because of your company.””
I turned.
“What?””
“Your father left Carter Industries with a condition.””
I frowned.
“My father died five years ago.””
“I know.””
Marissa lowered her voice.
“He changed his will before he passed.””
I felt confused.
“My father’s will was settled.””
“Not completely.””
She pulled out another envelope.
“Your father created a private trust.””
I opened it.
The first sentence made my heart stop.
*If Daniel Carter is pressured into surrendering control of the company, ownership rights will be transferred to the next appointed family representative.*
I read it twice.
Then again.
“Who is the next representative?””
Marissa didn’t answer.
She didn’t have to.
I already knew.
“My mother.””
Silence filled the room.
Evelyn wasn’t trying to take Noah because she wanted a grandchild.
She was trying to make me look like a failed father.
Because if I lost control of my personal life…
I could lose control of everything.
My phone buzzed.
A message from an unknown number.
I opened it.
One photo.
It showed Clara sleeping in the hospital.
Taken minutes earlier.
My blood turned cold.
Below the image was a message.
*Stop investigating, Daniel. Some things are better left buried.*
I looked at Marcus.
“Trace it.””
He grabbed the phone.
A few seconds passed.
Then his expression changed.
“What?””
He looked at me.
“Sir…”
“Who sent it?””
Marcus swallowed.
“The number belongs to someone inside this hospital.””
My eyes moved toward the hallway.
Someone was watching us.
Someone knew Clara was awake.
Someone knew I was searching.
And before I could move, another message appeared.
May you like
This time, only four words.
*Ask your wife about Noah.*
