Chapter 4 - MARA CHEN’S WARNING
Mara Chen had been Valerie’s grandfather’s attorney.
She had also been the only person at the funeral who told Valerie to read every document before signing.
Valerie did not follow that advice often enough.
She met Mara the morning after the dinner.
Mara placed the Mercer shareholder agreement on her desk.
“Your father says you are blocking an emergency acquisition.”
“My father says many things.”
“Adrian’s attorney requested confirmation that your voting proxy remains active.”
Valerie frowned.
“What voting proxy?”
Mara turned the document toward her.
Eight years earlier, Valerie had signed a limited proxy allowing Adrian to vote her shares while she recovered from surgery.
It should have expired after six months.
Someone had amended the date.
The current version extended indefinitely during any period of “medical or emotional incapacity.”
“That isn’t my signature,” Valerie said.
“I know.”
Mara opened another file.
Adrian had recently purchased a fifteen-million-dollar life insurance policy on Valerie.
Mercer Urban Holdings paid the premium.
The company was listed as beneficiary.
Adrian had approved the policy as chief executive.
Robert signed as board chair.
“What business reason did they give?” Valerie asked.
“They classified you as essential collateral support.”
“I don’t work for the company.”
“Your guarantees do.”
Valerie stared at the policy.
If she died, the company received enough money to stabilize its debt and complete North River.
Mara continued.
“Your parents’ mansion refinancing also depends on your guarantee.”
“I know.”
“And Adrian submitted a new tax authorization giving him access to your personal trust records.”
“I never signed that.”
“The signature was copied from your marriage settlement.”
Valerie’s skin turned cold.
“How many documents?”
“We don’t know yet.”
Mara took out her grandfather’s original trust instructions.
“If fraud, coercion, or misuse of your identity threatens company assets, your protective share can suspend executive authority for thirty days.”
Valerie stared at her.
“My father said that share was ceremonial.”
“Your father was wrong.”
“Can I remove Adrian?”
“Temporarily, if we establish evidence.”
Valerie closed the folder.
“Not yet.”
Mara looked concerned.
“You want to confront him.”
“I want to know whether my parents understand what he’s doing.”
“Valerie, the life policy was signed by your father.”
She did not want to hear the implication.
Robert might be careless.
Elaine might be cruel.
But the idea that they would knowingly profit from her death felt impossible.
Mara placed a secure recorder in Valerie’s hand.
“Then ask them.”
Valerie returned home that evening.
Adrian was waiting in the dark.
May you like
On the table before him lay a copy of Mara’s appointment calendar.
👉 Adrian already knew Valerie had discovered the forged documents, and he had no intention of letting her reach the board meeting.
