THE MAID HID HIS SECRET HEIR FOR 5 YEARS—UNTIL HIS FIANCÉE TRIED TO SILENCE HER FOREVER!

The retaliation came faster than Nathan anticipated.

At 6:00 AM two days later, heavy pounding echoed through the penthouse. Nathan’s security chief rushed in, looking grim. "Mr. Cole, it's the police. They have a warrant."

Nathan opened the door to find four armed officers, accompanied by a smirking detective.

"Grace Evans?" the detective asked, holding up a piece of paper. "We have a warrant for her arrest."

Grace emerged from the bedroom, clutching her injured shoulder, her face pale. "Arrest? For what?"

"Kidnapping, extortion, and grand larceny," the detective said flatly.

Nathan stepped in front of her. "On what grounds? She is my guest."

"On the grounds that five years ago, she signed a legally binding document relinquishing all parental rights to Arthur Cole in exchange for two million dollars, which she then stole before fleeing state lines with the child," the detective read. He handed Nathan a file.

Nathan scanned the documents. His blood ran cold. There were bank statements, wire transfers, and a signed contract bearing Grace's exact signature. It was a flawless, terrifying forgery.

"I never signed that!" Grace cried out. "I didn't take any money!"

"We also have a report filed last night by Victoria Sterling, stating Ms. Evans attacked her in your home and threatened to kill the child if you didn't pay her a ransom," the detective continued. "Child Protective Services is on their way to take custody of the girl."

"No!" Grace screamed, dropping to her knees. "No, please! Nathan, don't let them take her!"

Nathan's mind raced. If they took Lily now, the Sterlings would ensure she vanished into the system forever. He grabbed his phone and called his lead attorney, Marcus.

"They're taking Grace," Nathan whispered furiously into the phone. "And they're trying to take Lily. Delay CPS. Do whatever it takes."

"I'm on my way," Marcus replied. "Nathan, stall them. I have something you need to see. Something your father left behind."

Nathan turned to the officers. "My daughter stays with me. I am her biological father, and my name is on the newly filed birth certificate as of yesterday. You have no jurisdiction to remove her from her legal guardian."

The detective frowned, clearly frustrated that Nathan had moved fast on the paperwork. "Fine. But the mother goes with us."