Chapter 1 — The Seal That Was Never Supposed to Exist
No one spoke.
Not my father.
Not Marissa.
Not even Uncle Victor, who usually had an opinion ready before anyone else could breathe.
Every eye settled on the legal folder in my father's hands.
Nora slowly stood from her chair.
"I asked you a question."
Her voice remained calm, but it carried across the silent dining room.
"Why does that folder have my mother's probate seal?"
My father's fingers tightened around the leather binder.
"You've mistaken it."
"I haven't."
She walked closer.
"My mother was a probate judge for twenty-eight years. She designed that seal herself after the county updated its certification system."
She pointed toward the embossed gold emblem.
"That seal stopped being used eleven years ago."
My father's attorney finally leaned forward.
"Elias..."
"Sit down," my father snapped.
For the first time that evening, panic flashed behind his eyes.
I watched quietly.
He had spent an entire year trying to convince everyone that I was unstable.
Now his own confidence was cracking.
Dean slowly rose from his chair.
"Dad..."
"What exactly is inside that folder?"
Marissa reached for it instinctively.
"Elias doesn't owe anyone an explanation."
I finally spoke.
"He does if he's using forged probate documents."
The room erupted.
"What?"
"Forgery?"
"That's impossible."
My father slammed the folder shut.
"This dinner is over."
He turned toward the exit.
Before he could take another step, Nora spoke again.
"If you leave with that folder, I'll call the Probate Fraud Division before you reach your car."
He stopped.
May you like
Without turning around.
Because he knew she meant every word.
