Chapter 5 - Claire’s Hidden Company
The company was called North Star Heritage.
On paper, it restored historic estates.
In reality, it owned nothing except bank accounts and future transfer rights.
Claire was its hidden beneficiary.
Nathan was its authorized controller.
The documents described a transfer scheduled for the night of Dominic and Claire’s engagement celebration.
Several of the Vale family’s most valuable legal holdings would move into North Star.
Dominic’s signature appeared at the bottom.
Mia had watched him sign household papers.
The signature was close.
But wrong.
She photographed every page.
Then she found an amended succession agreement.
If Dominic became incapacitated or died within ninety days of the wedding, Claire would receive control of the estate while Nathan managed the family companies.
Mia’s hands shook.
A final document concerned Dominic’s private wine collection.
Certain bottles had been moved from secure storage and replaced in the cellar.
Beside one vintage was a note.
Use after signing.
Mia did not know what it meant.
But she understood danger.
She copied the file numbers and returned everything to its original position.
The next morning, she called the estate’s outside attorney.
Nathan’s assistant answered.
“All legal matters go through Mr. Shaw.”
“I need to speak directly with counsel.”
“Regarding?”
“Mr. Vale’s personal trust.”
The line went quiet.
Then Nathan’s voice appeared.
“Mia.”
She ended the call.
Minutes later, Nathan entered the kitchen.
“You should not make calls about business you don’t understand.”
“You shouldn’t listen to calls that aren’t yours.”
He smiled.
“Dominic trusts me with everything.”
“Then you shouldn’t need forged signatures.”
The kitchen staff became silent.
Nathan’s smile remained, but his eyes changed.
“You have an active imagination.”
“So did Lucas?”
Nathan stepped close enough that only she could hear.
“Your daughter needs one parent who understands when to stop digging.”
Mia wanted to strike him.
Instead, she held still.
Threatening Harper confirmed that Nathan was afraid.
She sent the photographs to a new email account.
The upload failed halfway through.
The estate network disconnected.
Nathan had shut it down.
That evening, Claire entered Mia’s room while Harper slept.
She held the silver bird pendant between two fingers.
Mia had removed it before showering.
“Where did your husband get this?” Claire asked.
“Give it back.”
Claire studied the small seam along the bird’s wing.
Then she smiled.
May you like
“I think Nathan has been looking for this longer than he’s been looking for you.”
👉 Mia finally understood that Lucas had hidden something inside the pendant—and Claire intended to take it before Dominic returned.
