Chapter 4 - The Vultures Circle
Julian Vance walked into the foyer shaking the rain from his cashmere coat. As the junior vice-chairman of Whitmore Enterprises and Florence’s nephew on her husband’s side, Julian had long treated the mansion as his secondary estate.
"Christopher!" Julian’s booming voice echoed through the marble entryway. "I heard a bizarre rumor from the security staff. They said Aunt Florence caused a scene and had one of the maids sitting in the primary parlor. What on earth is going on?"
Julian froze as he entered the grand living room. Florence was seated near the fire, a warm blanket over her knees, and beside her sat Hannah, pouring herbal tea into fine bone china. Hannah was not in uniform.
Julian’s eyes narrowed into sharp slits. "What is this? Christopher, why is the help socializing with your mother?"
"Watch your mouth, Julian," Christopher said, his tone icy as he stepped out from the corridor. "You are speaking to my niece. Clara’s daughter."
The color drained from Julian’s face for a split second before a sneer replaced it. "Clara’s daughter? What kind of cheap scam is this? Clara ran off twenty years ago and died in squalor. Anyone could walk off the street with a forged birth certificate claiming to be her kid, especially now that Aunt Florence is losing her mind and the estate trust is up for renewal."
"I am not losing my mind, Julian," Florence said, her voice ringing with cold authority. "And Hannah didn't bring a certificate. I found her. I ran the DNA test through three independent clinics months ago. She is my granddaughter. And she has more right to this name than you ever will."
Julian clenched his fists inside his coat pockets. The Whitmore family trust was valued at over four hundred million dollars. With Clara gone and Christopher unmarried and childless, Julian had positioned himself as the sole heir to both the corporate empire and the family properties. A legitimate granddaughter blew his carefully laid plans to ash.
"This is reckless," Julian snapped, looking at Christopher. "A girl from the gutter, brought in under false pretenses as a domestic worker? How do you know she didn't manipulate Florence into fabricating those tests? The board will never accept this, Christopher. Investors won't tolerate a sudden street-born heir shaking up shareholder confidence."
"Hannah isn't asking for company shares, Julian," Christopher said, stepping between his cousin and Hannah. "And what happens inside this house is none of the board's business. You will treat her with respect, or security will escort you off the grounds tonight."
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Julian stared at Christopher, realizing his cousin was completely serious. A venomous smile spread across Julian's lips. "Fine. Welcome to the family, Hannah. Let's see how long you survive in it."
With a mocking nod, Julian turned on his heel and stormed into the rainy night. But the predatory gleam in his eyes told Christopher that the battle for the Whitmore legacy had only just begun.
