Chapter 12 - THE MARRIAGE THAT NEVER HAPPENED Nathan remembered the engagement dinner.
Champagne.
Music.
Victoria laughing.
Peter Lang giving him trust documents to sign.
Nathan had barely read them.
One document was the Cole-Vale Family Continuity Covenant.
It treated Victoria as a “continuity spouse” even though they had never legally married.
If Nathan lost control, Victoria would temporarily inherit his position.
But there was one clause the Vales had failed to erase.
A direct biological descendant had priority.
Lily.
That was why they had spent four years hiding her.
That was why Victoria wanted Grace discredited.
That was why Eleanor wanted Nathan declared unstable.
That was why Sebastian needed the wedding to happen before Lily could be recognized.
The plan was elegant.
Cold.
Almost perfect.
Almost.
Then Peter called.
He had discovered an $84 million fraud scheme using Nathan's electronic signature.
The money had been moved through offshore companies.
And the final transfer had been ordered after Lily's custody petition.
Before Peter could explain more, another voice entered the call.
Sebastian.
“You should have stayed loyal.”
The line went dead.
Minutes later, the headline appeared.
NATHAN COLE UNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION FOR $84 MILLION FRAUD.
May you like
Nathan stared at the screen.
The final phase had begun.
