Chapter 6: The Signature of a Dead Man
I stared at the photograph until the edges of my vision began to blur.
My mother stood in a hospital corridor, looking frail but composed. Adrian was beside her, holding a folder. Behind them was a man I recognized from the old photographs in the Blue Room.
Julian Cross.
But Julian was supposed to have disappeared eleven years ago.
And the signature beneath the photograph belonged to him.
I slowly turned my laptop toward the man sitting across from me.
"Julian, explain this.""
He leaned forward.
The moment he saw the photograph, the color drained from his face.
"Where did you get that?""
"Adrian's divorce agreement.""
Julian enlarged the image.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he whispered, "That's not what it looks like.""
Thomas Reed stood beside the desk.
"Julian, we need the truth. Now.""
Julian removed his glasses.
"That photograph was taken two days before Eleanor died. I was there because she asked me to come.""
"Why?""
"She wanted to make sure Adrian couldn't access the family trust after her death.""
I pointed at the signature.
"Then why does this document say she agreed to transfer everything?""
"Because she didn't.""
Julian took the laptop and examined the attachment.
"The signature is mine, but the document has been altered.""
"What do you mean?""
"Look at the date.""
I leaned closer.
The agreement was dated November 14.
My mother had died on November 12.
"Someone changed the date," Thomas said.
Julian nodded.
"And someone copied my signature from an older authorization.""
I felt sick.
"So Adrian has been using a document signed by a man who disappeared eleven years ago to claim that my dead mother approved the transfer of her company?""
"Apparently.""
I looked at the photograph again.
"Why did you disappear?""
Julian sat down.
For the first time, the confidence I had seen in him seemed to vanish.
"Because I was accused of stealing twenty-eight million dollars from Vale Group. The evidence was convincing enough to destroy my reputation, and Adrian had arranged for several financial records to support the accusation.""
"Did you go to prison?""
"No. But I lost my professional licenses, my position, and nearly every person who trusted me.""
He looked toward the window.
"Your mother knew I hadn't done it. She spent her final months trying to clear my name.""
"Did she succeed?""
"She found the original transactions. But before she could present them, she became too ill.""
I looked down at the document.
"Then Adrian knew you weren't guilty.""
Julian nodded.
"He knew.""
My hands curled into fists.
"He let everyone believe you were a criminal.""
"Yes.""
"And now he's using your signature to steal my inheritance.""
Julian didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
The following morning, I returned to Paris.
At 8:40 a.m., a black car pulled up outside Vale Group's headquarters.
The building rose above Avenue Montaigne, its glass façade reflecting the pale winter sky.
I had entered that building hundreds of times.
I knew the receptionist, the security staff, the executives, and even the maintenance workers who had once helped me carry fabric samples up three flights of stairs when the elevators broke.
But that morning, something was different.
The receptionist looked at my name on the visitor list.
"Good morning, Mrs. Vale.""
"Good morning, Sophie.""
She hesitated.
"Mr. Vale asked us to direct you to the private conference room.""
"Thank you.""
As I walked toward the elevators, I heard two employees whispering.
"That's her.""
"The wife?""
"Apparently, she's signing the divorce agreement today.""
I kept walking.
I wasn't going to correct them.
Not yet.
The conference room occupied the top floor.
Adrian stood near the windows in a charcoal suit.
Vanessa sat beside him.
She wore a cream-colored dress and my mother's emerald necklace.
A glass of sparkling water rested beside her.
When I entered, she smiled.
"Claire. You came.""
Adrian checked his watch.
"You're late.""
I glanced at the clock.
"Four minutes early.""
He ignored me.
"Sit down. We don't have all morning.""
Three lawyers were seated around the table.
Richard Collins was there, too.
He looked uncomfortable when our eyes met.
Adrian gestured toward the chair opposite him.
"Let's make this simple.""
I placed my handbag on the floor.
"That would be a refreshing change.""
Vanessa gave a small laugh.
Adrian slid a thick document across the table.
"This is the separation agreement. You'll receive the London apartment, the Surrey property, and a generous financial settlement.""
I opened it.
"How generous?""
"Twenty million euros.""
I looked up.
"That's supposed to impress me?""
Adrian's expression tightened.
"Considering you've never had to earn a living, I think it's more than fair.""
I slowly closed the folder.
"Interesting.""
Vanessa crossed her legs.
"Claire, you should really think about your future. Adrian has a child on the way. We want to start our family without unnecessary complications.""
I looked at the emeralds around her neck.
"You're wearing my mother's necklace while asking me to give up my family inheritance.""
Vanessa touched the stones.
"I think Eleanor would have wanted someone to appreciate it.""
"She did. She wanted me to wear it.""
Adrian slammed his palm against the table.
"Enough.""
The lawyers exchanged glances.
He leaned toward me.
"Sign the agreement.""
I turned to the fourth page.
The photograph of my mother was there.
Beside it was the alleged authorization signed by Julian Cross.
"Who verified this document?""
Adrian smiled.
"Our legal department.""
"Which member?""
"Why?""
"Because the date is wrong.""
His smile disappeared.
I turned the page toward him.
"My mother died on November 12. This agreement is dated November 14.""
One lawyer leaned forward.
"Mr. Vale?""
Adrian didn't look at him.
"An administrative error.""
"Then why does the document contain Julian Cross's signature?""
"Because Julian was involved in the original transaction.""
I looked directly at him.
"Julian Cross is alive.""
The room went silent.
Vanessa's fingers froze against the necklace.
Adrian slowly straightened.
"What?""
"He's alive. And he has the original records.""
Adrian's face hardened.
"That's impossible.""
I smiled faintly.
"Apparently, you keep making that mistake.""
Richard Collins removed his glasses.
"Adrian, perhaps we should postpone the meeting.""
"No.""
He stood.
"This meeting is proceeding.""
Then he looked at me.
"Claire, you have no idea what you're doing.""
I placed my mother's ownership agreement on the table.
"Actually, I do.""
Adrian glanced at the document.
His eyes moved to the first page.
Then the second.
When he reached the ownership percentage, his expression changed.
"Where did you get that?""
"From my mother.""
"That agreement is obsolete.""
"Is it?""
"It was superseded.""
"By what?""
He opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
I leaned forward.
"Tell everyone, Adrian. Tell them who owns fifty-one percent of Vale Group.""
Vanessa looked between us.
"Adrian?""
He ignored her.
Then he did something I hadn't expected.
He laughed.
"Even if this document is authentic, you're forgetting one thing.""
He pulled another folder from his briefcase.
"Your mother transferred those shares to me before she died.""
He placed a notarized document in front of the lawyers.
It carried my mother's name.
Her signature.
And an official seal.
For a moment, I felt the room slipping away.
Then I noticed the witness line.
*Witness: Julian Cross.*
Adrian smiled.
"You see? It's over.""
I looked at the document.
Then at Richard.
"Mr. Collins, do you recognize that notary stamp?""
Richard examined it.
His face went pale.
"Yes.""
Adrian leaned back.
"Good. Then perhaps we can finally move forward.""
Richard slowly closed the folder.
"Adrian, that notary died eleven years ago.""
May you like
The room went completely silent.
And for the first time that morning, my husband looked afraid.
