Rebecca, growing impatient, threw her iced drink at Elena’s feet. Sticky liquid soaked into her sandals.
“At least try to look decent,” she sneered.
A murmur spread through the crowd.
Victor didn’t stop her. He smirked.
“Sign it already,” he said.
Elena lifted her chin.
“You can’t buy back honor, Victor. Not after you’ve lost it.”
The words struck clean.
Victor laughed harshly. “Honor? Look at you. Alone, pregnant, hauling wood. And you talk about honor?”
He kicked part of the bundle from her back. Wood scattered across the ground.
Then Elena slowly let the rest fall.
The sound echoed.
She reached into her shawl, tore open a hidden seam, and pulled out a plastic-wrapped bundle.
Victor froze.
She unwrapped it.
Official documents. Seals. Signatures.
“You don’t need just any waiver,” she said calmly. “You need mine. Because everything you tried to sell has always belonged to me.”
Mr. Lawrence stepped forward.
“I can confirm that,” he said clearly. “These lands were left solely to Elena. Mr. Hayes forged documents to sell property he never owned. A formal complaint has already been filed.”
The crowd erupted.
Rebecca turned to Victor, horrified. “You lied? This is all stolen?”
“It’s not—”