THE INHERITANCE OF LIES: WHY THE WHITE SILK DRESS WAS COVERED IN ASHES

Victoria’s sudden movement caught Daniel off guard, but his reflexes were sharper. He jerked the floral handbag backward, keeping it completely out of her reach. His dark eyes locked onto hers, burning with a cold, intense fury that made Victoria freeze mid-motion. Her hand hovered in the air, trembling slightly as the full weight of his scrutiny settled upon her shoulders.

"Don't you dare touch her things again," Daniel warned, his voice dangerously quiet. He turned his attention back to the young girl kneeling beside him. "Lily, sweetheart, look at me. Did your mother give you any other instructions before you left her apartment?"

Lily shook her head, her dark hair brushing against the light pink fabric of her dress. "She just said to run fast. She said Victoria would try to stop me because of the papers inside."

Victoria swallowed hard, forcing a tight, nervous smile to her lips as she stepped back. "Daniel, you cannot possibly believe the ramblings of a bitter ex-wife. Elena has always tried to poison your mind against me. She’s unstable. That envelope probably contains more false accusations, or worse, demands for money."

"If it's just accusations, Victoria, why did you look so terrified when you saw it?" Daniel countered, standing up slowly while keeping the bag clutched securely in his right hand.

He slid his fingers inside the floral pouch and pulled out the thick, wax-sealed envelope. The paper felt heavy, embossed with a legal watermark that made his stomach drop. It wasn't a standard letter. It was an official document portfolio bearing the imprint of a high-profile probate attorney in downtown Manhattan.

"Put that away, Daniel. Please. For our sake," Victoria whispered, taking a pleading step toward him, her diamond necklace catching the light as she clutched her chest. "Whatever is in there, it’s designed to tear us apart. Haven't we built enough together?"

Daniel ignored her plea. He broke the heavy red wax seal with his thumb, sliding the contents out into the palm of his hand. His breath caught in his throat as his eyes scanned the first printed line of the topmost document.