Chapter 2 - The Sowing of DoubtThe following morning, the Vance estate library was quiet, save for the ticking of an antique grandfather clock. Julian sat behind a heavy oak desk, staring at a medical report that made no sense. Across from him sat Victoria Vance, his fiercely analytical older sister and the executive trustee of the Vance family holdings.
"You're actually considering firing Clara based on a hysterical outburst from Jessica?" Victoria asked, her voice sharp as she crossed her arms.
"Victoria, Mother couldn't breathe. Jessica was there, and Mother tried to point at Clara," Julian argued, rubbing his temples as a splitting headache pounded behind his eyes. "What if Clara was trying to harm her? We don't know everything about Clara's background—she was hired through an agency while you were out of the country."
"I vetted Clara myself, Julian," Victoria replied coldly, tossing a file onto the desk. "Her credentials are bulletproof. On the other hand, Jessica appeared in your life out of nowhere six months ago. She doesn't work, she has expensive tastes, and she has been pushing herself deeper and deeper into this household."
"Jessica is just sensitive," Julian defended defensively, though a seed of doubt had already been planted. "She was terrified for Mother."
"Sensitive people don't record inheritance lawyers' phone calls on their burner devices," Victoria muttered under her breath, sliding a second, thinner folder across the wood.
Julian frowned, opening the folder. Inside were printouts of recent visitor logs, security badge swipes, and financial wire transfers linked to Jessica's personal account—transfers originating from a shell company owned by Vance Corp's primary corporate rival.
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Before Julian could process the revelation, the library doors flew open. Jessica stood there, looking breathless and distressed, clutching a small velvet box.
"Julian, thank goodness," Jessica breathed, rushing over to him. "I found this in the hallway safe. Clara left it unlocked. It’s... it’s your mother's codicil to the will. Clara was trying to alter the beneficiary signatures!"
