Chapter 11 - The Forgotten Legacy|
What Michael Harrison had forgotten during his eleven years of dominating Philadelphia was where Catherine had come from.
Her father, Arthur Vance, had been a senior federal judge in Pennsylvania for thirty years before his death. He was a man who knew every loop-hole, every sealed record, and every hidden ledger in the state's judicial system.
At nine o'clock the next morning, Catherine sat in a quiet, wood-paneled office in Center City, across from an elderly man with thick silver hair and sharp blue eyes.
Arthur’s old friend and attorney, Henry Sterling.
"Catherine, my dear," Henry said, placing a thick paper folder on the desk between them. "I was wondering when you were going to walk through my door."
"You knew about Michael?" Catherine asked, sitting straight in the leather armchair, holding Claire against her chest.
"I knew what your father thought of him," Henry replied grimly, pulling a set of land deeds from the folder. "Arthur knew Michael was dangerous. Before your father passed away five years ago, he established an irrevocable land trust in your name—completely separate from your marriage estate."
Catherine blinked in surprise. "A trust?"
"Three commercial properties along the Schuylkill River," Henry explained, sliding a document toward her. "Including a old textile warehouse currently being rented by a private logistics firm. Your name is the sole beneficiary, Catherine. Michael’s lawyers can't touch it, can't freeze it, and can't claim it."
Catherine looked down at the paper. The monthly rental income from the warehouse alone was more than enough to support her, Claire, and Rachel for years.
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"Does Michael know about this?" Catherine asked.
Henry offered a dark, knowing smile. "Michael Harrison thinks he owns this city, Catherine. But your father built the foundation he’s standing on. It’s time we reminded him of that."
