She Came at 5 A.M. to Steal the Family Estate—But the Man She Planned to Betray Was Listening Behind the Door

Emma forced herself not to look toward the service door.

"She isn't signing anything before sunrise."

Brooke gave a soft laugh. "That's not your decision."

"And it isn't yours."

The kitchen seemed to shrink around them.

Brooke set the folder on the butcher-block table and opened it. "These are transfer documents. Dominic approved them before London. Natalie has been living on Mercer property without a lease, without insurance, and without contributing one dollar to upkeep. I'm fixing that."

Emma glanced at the top page. The language was dense, but two words stood out: IRREVOCABLE TRANSFER.

"If Dominic approved it," Emma said carefully, "why are you here at five in the morning?"

Brooke's jaw tightened.

"Because Natalie becomes dramatic when Noah is awake."

Behind the door, Dominic's expression changed.

Brooke leaned closer. "You work for this family, Emma. Not for Natalie. Do you understand?"

"I understand exactly who I work for."

A voice came from the hallway.

"Emma?"

Natalie stood barefoot in the doorway wearing gray sweatpants and one of her late husband's college sweatshirts. Her dark hair was tied loosely at the back of her neck. She looked exhausted.

"What's going on?"

Brooke instantly changed her face.

"Natalie, sweetheart. I'm sorry to wake you."

Natalie looked at the folder. "At five in the morning?"

"It's time-sensitive."

"Everything with you is time-sensitive when Dominic is out of the country."

That landed.

Brooke's smile froze for half a second.

Then she slid the papers across the table. "Dominic needs the old house transferred into Mercer Holdings. It's a tax issue. Sign here, here, and on the final page."

Natalie did not touch the pen.

"Dominic told me that house was mine."

"Dominic says many things when people are grieving."

The words hit like a slap.

Natalie's eyes hardened. "My grandmother put it in writing."

"Then find the writing."

Natalie went pale.

Brooke noticed.

And smiled.

"You can't, can you?"

From the service door, Dominic watched his wife enjoy the moment.