Charles felt the floor disappear beneath him. It wasn’t just fraud—it was betrayal. His wife. His brother. Years of deception. Years believing he was incapable of fatherhood.
He turned slowly toward Andrew, who was pale and shaking.
“How did you get that?” Charles asked Lily quietly.
After my mom died, I didn’t have anywhere to go,” she explained softly. “I stayed in the staff quarters at Mr. Andrew’s place for a while. I heard them laughing about you. Saying you’d pay for everything. I found that paper on his desk when I went back for my mom’s necklace. My mom always said you were the only one who treated the staff kindly.”
Judge Grant wasted no time. She ordered the immediate arrest of Olivia and Andrew for fraud and perjury. As officers led them away—Olivia screaming, Andrew silent—the courtroom buzzed in disbelief.
When it emptied, Charles remained standing.
He looked down at Lily—small, shaking now that the adrenaline had faded.
“Do you have somewhere safe to go?” he asked gently.
She shook her head. “I manage.”
Charles knelt, uncaring of his expensive suit against the floor. “You shouldn’t have to manage alone. Would you have lunch with me? My house is… very big. And very empty.”