Chapter 7 - The Forged Contract
Naomi reached into her gold clutch bag and pulled out a faded, folded legal document stamped with a notary seal from six years prior.
"I didn't take his money, Julian," Naomi said, holding the paper up for the entire ballroom to see. "I refused the settlement. But he forced me to sign a non-disclosure agreement under threat of your arrest. He told me that if I ever contacted you, the warrants would be executed immediately."
Julian took the paper from her shaking hands.
His eyes scanned the fine print. Across the bottom was Richard Vance’s signature alongside a forged corporate authorization bearing Julian’s name.
The document claimed that Julian Drake had authorized the transfer of three million dollars into a private offshore entity—an entity that Richard Vance controlled.
Six years ago, Richard had stolen the funds himself, framed Julian internally, and used the fake felony charge to blackmail a pregnant Naomi into fleeing the city so his daughter, Victoria, could marry into the Drake fortune.
Julian’s jaw clenched so tightly a muscle twitched near his stubbled cheek.
He looked up at Richard Vance, his dark eyes burning with pure, unadulterated fury.
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"You framed me," Julian murmured, his voice deadly quiet. "And you stole six years of my daughter's life."
👉 How did Victoria react when she realized her family's scheme was unraveling?
