The Single Dad Adopted a Homeless Girl—15 Years Later She Walked Into Court and Saved His Empire
Chapter 7
The courtroom was packed.
Journalists filled every seat.
Investors watched from the gallery.
Adrian Cross sat beside his attorneys, perfectly calm.
Daniel sat at the defense table.
Lily sat behind him.
The judge entered.
Everyone stood.
The case began.
Cross’s attorney presented financial records showing Daniel had authorized millions in fraudulent transfers.
The evidence looked convincing.
Too convincing.
Then they produced the adoption documents.
Lily’s name appeared on the screen.
Daniel’s attorney stood.
“What does this have to do with the case?”
Cross’s attorney smiled.
“Miss Brooks was adopted by Mr. Brooks fifteen years ago.”
“Yes.”
“She has since benefited financially from the company.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
The attorney continued.
“She has motive.”
Lily whispered, “They’re trying to make me look like I stole it.”
Daniel turned.
“Don’t worry.”
The opposing attorney presented bank accounts in Lily’s name.
Large deposits.
International transfers.
They claimed Lily had secretly received millions.
The courtroom murmured.
Daniel stood.
“That’s false.”
The judge struck the table.
“Mr. Brooks, you will have your opportunity.”
Lily looked at the records.
Something was wrong.
She leaned toward Daniel.
“Dad.”
“What?”
“Those account numbers.”
He looked.
“They aren’t mine.”
“I know.”
Lily stared at the screen.
“The last four digits are different.”
Daniel’s attorney whispered to the court clerk.
The opposing attorney objected.
But Lily had already understood.
They had copied her identity.
Someone had created fraudulent accounts using her name.
The judge ordered a recess.
Lily rushed to the courthouse records office.
She requested the original adoption file.
The clerk returned with a sealed box.
Lily opened it.
Her adoption papers were there.
But one page had been replaced.
She recognized the handwriting.
Harris.
He had accessed the original records.
Why?
Lily found the answer on the back of the missing page.
A handwritten note.
The girl isn’t who Daniel thinks she is.
Lily’s heart stopped.
She returned to the courtroom.
Daniel stood immediately.
“What happened?”
She handed him the note.
His expression changed.
“What does this mean?”
“I don’t know.”
Harris approached.
“Perhaps I can explain.”
Daniel turned.
“You.”
Harris smiled.
“Lily isn’t your adopted daughter by accident.”
Daniel stared.
“What are you talking about?”
Harris leaned closer.
“She was planted.”
The courtroom fell silent.
Lily looked at him.
“You’re lying.”
Harris smiled.
“Am I?”
He placed a document on the table.
It contained Lily’s biological mother’s name.
Daniel knew the name.
His face went white.
Because it belonged to the woman who had once worked for Michael Grant.
The woman who had disappeared fifteen years ago.
And suddenly, Lily realized her adoption might have been connected to the conspiracy from the very beginning.
