Suddenly, the phone in my hand buzzed again.

It was an email notification.

The sender was an address I didn’t recognize, but the subject line was plain.

*Release of Liability – Mercer.*

I opened the attachment.

It was a three-page document, drafted hastily.

The legal terminology was messy, but the intent was clear.

It asked me to waive all rights to Daniel’s personal real estate holdings in exchange for a nominal cash payment.

If I signed it, I would lose any claim to the hidden accounts Robert had just uncovered.

It was a trap.

I forwarded the email to Robert Hayes immediately.

Within two minutes, my phone rang.

It was Robert.

“Claire,” he said as soon as I answered.

“Did you see it?” I asked.

“I did,” he said. “Do not reply to them. Do not sign anything.”

“Patricia called me,” I said. “She was with Vanessa.”

“What did she say?” Robert asked.

“She threatened to bankrupt the company if I don’t sign,” I said.

“She also said they are forcing Vanessa to take a prenatal DNA test tomorrow.”

Robert was quiet for a moment.