Chapter 564
Chapter 564:
She leaned in. “Do you have access to the Hayes family trust records p>
Parker’s face darkened. “Victoria changed the passwords. But… I built the backdoor p>
“Find the original will,” Skye said. “The one your father wrote before Victoria manipulated him. I know it exists p>
Parker typed. Minutes ticked by. Sweat beaded on his forehead.
“Got it,” he breathed. “It’s hidden in a subdirectory disguised as a recipe file. ‘Grandma’s Meatloaf p>
He opened the file.
“I, Robert Hayes, leave 80% of the Hayes Estate and the controlling interest in the Trust to my son, Parker Hayes. My daughter, Victoria, is to receive a monthly stipend p>
“She stole it,” Parker whispered, tears welling up. “She stole everything p>
“And tomorrow,” Skye said, putting a hand on his shoulder, “you take it back p>
Her phone buzzed. She looked at the screen.
Incoming Call: Lucian Graves’ Assistant.
Skye smiled. She put it on speaker.
“Ms. Sterling?” a sugary voice answered. “Mr. Graves requested I confirm your attendance at tomorrow’s gala. He said he has a special seat reserved for you. Front row p>
Skye looked at Parker, who was giving a thumbs-up.
“Tell Mr. Graves I’ll be there,” Skye said. “I wouldn’t miss his farewell performance p>
She hung up.
“Pack your gear, Parker,” Skye ordered. “We’re moving you to the Tower. War starts at dawn p>
The library of the Vance Estate had been transformed into a war room. Maps were spread out on the antique oak table, and the scent of ozone from overheating laptops mixed with the smell of old books.
Alistair stood by the whiteboard, pinning up a large diagram of the Hayes family tree Parker had printed out. He looked exhausted but focused, the cut over his eye from the warehouse raid healing into a thin red line.
“This is the kill shot,” Alistair said, tapping Parker’s name. “Lucian is marrying Victoria for her liquidity. He needs the Hayes Trust to cover the losses we inflicted on his casino operations. If we freeze that money, he can’t pay his mercenaries. He can’t pay the cartel. He’s dead in the water p>
𝖱eа𝗱 𝘄і𝗍hо𝗎𝘵 limi𝘵𝗌 𝗈ո be.𝖼o𝗆
“And Parker is the key,” Julian added, sitting at the table with a stack of legal briefs. “Once we publish the real will, I can file an emergency injunction. The banks will lock Victoria’s accounts instantly p>
Skye stood by the window, looking out at the rain. “Money hurts him. But it doesn’t stop him. Lucian is an animal. When he’s cornered, he bites p>
The door opened. Liam walked in.
He was wearing a black tactical turtleneck and cargo pants. His arm was still in a sling, but he moved with a fluid, lethal grace. He wasn’t the CEO anymore; he was the soldier.
“Perimeter is secure,” Liam reported. “I’ve doubled the guard rotation. If Lucian sends anyone, we’ll see them p>
He walked over to the table and looked down at the invitation Skye had received.
“Graves Diplomatic Estate,” Liam read, frowning. “Why there? Why not the hotel p>
“Because the hotel is under federal surveillance,” Alistair explained grimly. “The Diplomatic Estate is technically sovereign soil, leased to a corrupt consulate from a small island nation Lucian has been bribing for years. The FBI can surround the perimeter, but they can’t enter without causing an international incident. It buys him time p>