Chapter 6 - Traitor in the House
The court evaluation was scheduled for Friday morning—just three days away.
Dr. Evelyn Reed, a court-appointed child welfare evaluator known for her strict, uncompromising assessments, was scheduled to spend twenty-four hours living inside the Whitman mansion to observe the family dynamic before submitting her final recommendation to Judge Harrison.
The stakes were absolute. If Dr. Reed sensed emotional instability, neglect, or manufactured family dynamics, Sophia’s legal team would use the report to strip Alexander of custody.
Inside the mansion, Grace worked tirelessly. She wasn't preparing a fake show for the evaluator; she was building real, lasting memories for the boys. She organized evening cooking sessions where Alexander and the boys made homemade pizza, covering the pristine marble kitchen in flour and laughter. She helped Alexander read bedtime stories every night, guiding the once-distant billionaire on how to hold his sons, how to listen to their fears, and how to just be present.
Alexander changed rapidly. He cut his work hours in half, leaving his capable executives to handle Whitman Global Logistics while he stayed home to attend afternoon play sessions. The cold, corporate fortress was transforming into a place of warmth and life.
However, dark forces were still at work within the walls.
On Wednesday night, at two o'clock in the morning, Grace woke up to a faint sound echoing through the east wing. It was the soft click of a door latch.
Instinctively alert, Grace threw on a robe and stepped quietly into the hallway. The corridors were dark, illuminated only by the faint moonlight streaming through the high arched windows.
She saw a shadowed figure slipping out of Alexander's private study, carrying a small, glowing USB flash drive.
Grace crept closer, keeping her back pressed against the wall. The figure turned into the moonlight, revealing her face.
It was Mrs. Holloway.
Grace’s breath caught in her throat. She watched as Mrs. Holloway slipped into the utility kitchen, pulling out her hidden burner phone. Grace crept up to the crack of the door, listening intently.
"I have the files, Victoria," Mrs. Holloway whispered excitedly into the phone. "I took copies of the boys' medical records, including the private therapy notes from right after Sophia left. They clearly detail Finn’s speech regression and Carter’s aggressive outbursts. If you present these to Dr. Reed tomorrow, it will prove Alexander’s home was an emotionally damaging environment."
Grace’s blood ran cold. Mrs. Holloway was actively sabotaging the family from the inside, selling out traumatized little boys to feed Sophia’s corporate war.
Grace didn't hesitate. She pushed the door open with a sharp click.
"Hand over the drive, Mrs. Holloway," Grace said, her voice dropping into a hard, dangerous tone.
Mrs. Holloway gasped, spinning around in terror, nearly dropping her phone. "Grace! What... what are you doing up?"
"I asked for the drive," Grace repeated, stepping into the kitchen, blocking the exit. "You are leaking confidential medical records of grieving children to ruin their father. How much is Sophia paying you to ruin this family?"
Mrs. Holloway’s terror quickly morphed into a ugly, bitter snarl. "You ignorant little girl! You know nothing about how the world works! Sophia promised me a multi-million-dollar severance pension when she takes over the estate. Alexander Whitman is a cold, heartless monster who ruined his marriage! He doesn't deserve those boys!"
"He loves those boys!" Grace shouted softly, her eyes blazing with fury. "He is fighting for them every single day! And you are selling out innocent children for a payout!"
Mrs. Holloway lunged forward, trying to push past Grace to reach the exit, shoving the USB drive into her pocket. Grace grabbed her wrist, trying to pry the drive away. The two women struggled in the dim light, knocking a crystal vase off the counter, which shattered onto the floor with a deafening crash.
Footsteps thundered down the hallway.
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A second later, the lights swung bright. Alexander stood in the doorway, wearing a black silk robe, his eyes dark with absolute fury, a heavy steel fireplace poker held firmly in his right hand.
"What is going on here?" Alexander bellowed.
