Chapter 12 - NOAH’S NAME WAS IN THE FILEThe next morning Emily called her attorney, Claire Donovan.
Claire immediately began searching records connected to Steven Maddox's old law firm.
Hours later, she found something.
An internal document.
At the top were the words:
CARTER / BROOKS — LIABILITY EXPOSURE
Ryan's name appeared first.
Natalie's second.
Then Emily saw another name.
Noah Carter.
Her four-month-old son.
“Why is my baby in a divorce file?”
Claire kept reading.
One sentence changed everything:
Potential inheritance consequences involving minor child.
Ryan looked genuinely confused.
“I don't have an inheritance.”
Claire turned toward him.
“Maybe this isn't about money you have.”
She opened another record.
Ryan's estranged father, William Carter, had died months earlier.
His estate was worth millions.
Ryan went silent.
Emily stared at him.
“You never told me your father died?”
“We hadn't spoken in twelve years.”
Claire interrupted.
“There's a trust.”
She looked directly at Emily.
“And if these documents are correct, Noah may be entitled to more than four million dollars.”
Emily's eyes widened.
Then Claire opened the final page.
Someone had already challenged Noah's claim.
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The name attached to the challenge was—
Steven Maddox.
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