Chapter 23 - THE TRUSTRyan's attorney found the trust within forty-eight hours.
The Carter Family Continuity Trust.
Created by Ryan's grandfather decades earlier.
Ryan had never seen it.
Neither had Emily.
Its terms were unusual.
Certain assets transferred automatically to each generation's legally recognized descendants.
Thomas had two recognized children on record.
Ryan.
And, years later, Noah.
Lucas wasn't there.
Because Thomas had never legally acknowledged him.
But something had changed four months earlier.
Someone submitted an amended family declaration identifying:
Lucas Shaw — biological descendant of Thomas Carter.
And attached beneath it:
Noah Carter — contingent minor beneficiary.
Emily looked at Ryan.
“Who filed it?”
The attorney turned the page.
Ryan stopped breathing.
Steven Maddox.
Again.
Maddox claimed to represent Lucas.
But Lucas's signature appeared on documents seeking not merely recognition.
They sought control over Noah's share until he turned twenty-five.
“That makes no sense,” Ryan said.
“Lucas would never automatically control Noah's money,” the attorney replied.
“Unless?”
“Unless you were declared ineligible to act as trustee.”
Emily understood first.
Someone wasn't simply proving Lucas existed.
They were building a case that Ryan couldn't be trusted with his son's financial interests.
The attorney produced another document.
It referenced Ryan's concealed marital status with Natalie.
The mall incident.
Emily's temporary separation.
Even therapy records were mentioned.
Their worst year had been turned into evidence.
Ryan looked sick.
Emily reached for the file.
This time she wasn't frightened by what Ryan might hide.
He had shown her everything immediately.
Then she reached the final page.
There was a hearing scheduled.
Nine days away.
May you like
And the petitioner wasn't Lucas.
It was Evelyn Shaw.
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