{"id":30657,"date":"2026-10-05T15:22:42","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T15:22:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/?p=30657"},"modified":"2026-10-05T15:22:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T15:22:42","slug":"part-31-cross-used-daniels-own-biometric-signature-to-activate-sophies-trust-forcing-daniel-to-choose-between-ownership-and-his-daughters-legal-freedom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/?p=30657","title":{"rendered":"PART 31 \u2013 Cross Used Daniel\u2019s Own Biometric Signature to Activate Sophie\u2019s Trust, Forcing Daniel to Choose Between Ownership and His Daughter\u2019s Legal Freedom"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The word transfer appeared on the screen.<\/p>\n<p>Not company.<\/p>\n<p>Not funds.<\/p>\n<p>Not archive.<\/p>\n<p>SOPHIE MERCER \u2013 CONTROL STATUS TRANSFER PENDING.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel felt cold.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Richard was already reading system prompts.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not physical custody.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThen what?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTrust control.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel stared.<\/p>\n<p>Cross\u2019s voice came through the speakers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou walked into the only place where the archive still recognizes live Mercer ownership.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel looked toward the locked doors.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOpen them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross laughed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou still think doors are the important part.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Marcus Reed\u2019s team pounded from the corridor outside.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel could hear them faintly.<\/p>\n<p>Cross continued.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEdward built every modern Mercer trust around layered consent.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel looked at Richard.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCan he do this?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Richard\u2019s face tightened.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith Daniel biometric authentication, possibly.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPossibly?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDepends what other credentials he has.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross answered.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cClaire.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel\u2019s pulse quickened.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou coerced her.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe authenticated the protector role.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRevoked.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTemporary revocation.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Richard stared at the screen.<\/p>\n<p>Cross was right.<\/p>\n<p>The emergency revocation at Bellmont had been tied to the Meridian session.<\/p>\n<p>With Meridian dissolved, older trust rules had reasserted.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel swore.<\/p>\n<p>Cross continued.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNathan.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel frowned.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFounder line.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Richard nodded.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCross inherited biological founder authority through Nathan.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCurrent owner.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd Claire.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGuardian chain.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel stared.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat does Sophie lose?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Richard read the transfer language.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTrust protector authority moves to Cross.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor how long?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUntil she turns eighteen unless challenged successfully.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel\u2019s jaw tightened.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo he owns her money.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cControls it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat is the same thing to a child.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross laughed softly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou sound like Anna.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel looked toward the camera.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou keep saying that like it helps you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe understood inheritance better than you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe understood people better than you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross\u2019s expression changed.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel noticed.<\/p>\n<p>Need for paternal recognition.<\/p>\n<p>Aggression after perceived humiliation.<\/p>\n<p>Anna\u2019s profile on him had been accurate.<\/p>\n<p>Cross said, \u201cShe understood enough to die investigating my family.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel remained still.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYour father\u2019s family.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross\u2019s jaw tightened.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe denied you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Nathan had hidden Cross.<\/p>\n<p>That mattered.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel continued.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe hid you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross\u2019s expression hardened.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou don\u2019t know anything.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI know he let you grow up under another name while he built a succession system around you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross stared.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel felt Richard look at him.<\/p>\n<p>He understood what Daniel was doing.<\/p>\n<p>Keep him talking.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRebecca took Continuity.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross said nothing.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNathan promised you would get it back.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Silence.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou killed Anna because she threatened that promise.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross\u2019s face tightened.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI killed Anna because she was going to destroy the structure.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel\u2019s voice stayed calm.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou killed her because exposing your lineage meant Nathan\u2019s plan for you disappeared.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross moved closer to his camera.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou think this is therapy?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think you\u2019re predictable.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That landed.<\/p>\n<p>Cross\u2019s eyes changed.<\/p>\n<p>The transfer progress paused at sixty-one percent.<\/p>\n<p>Richard whispered, \u201cHe stopped interacting with the control terminal.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Good.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel continued.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnna knew exactly what you were.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross smiled thinly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe never knew me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe built your profile.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA profile is not a person.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel almost laughed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s the first smart thing you\u2019ve said.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross frowned.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel pointed toward the terminal.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat entire system treats profiles like people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross said nothing.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou hated Nathan for reducing you to lineage.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Still nothing.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd now you\u2019re doing the same thing to Sophie.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross\u2019s face tightened.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe is an asset.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere it is.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel looked at Richard.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cKeep working.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Richard nodded subtly.<\/p>\n<p>Cross realized.<\/p>\n<p>He returned to his console.<\/p>\n<p>Transfer resumed.<\/p>\n<p>Sixty-four percent.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel moved to the mirror program.<\/p>\n<p>Still frozen.<\/p>\n<p>A hidden command line remained accessible.<\/p>\n<p>Anna had written notes in the code.<\/p>\n<p>If owner authentication becomes compromised, separate identity from authority.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel stared.<\/p>\n<p>That sounded like her philosophy again.<\/p>\n<p>Names do not own you.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe the trust itself could be severed from Sophie.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRichard.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCan Sophie disclaim the trust?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt eighteen.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat about me?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou could potentially disclaim interests on her behalf with court approval.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNow?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCan I surrender my own owner authority?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Richard stared at him.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross\u2019s voice snapped.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDon\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel looked toward the camera.<\/p>\n<p>There.<\/p>\n<p>Fear.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat happens if I resign Bellmont ownership?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Richard\u2019s face changed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDaniel.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnswer.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou lose current-owner authentication.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd his transfer?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMay fail.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMay?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLikely.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross said, \u201cYou\u2019ll destroy what\u2019s left of Bellmont.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel laughed softly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou still think that works on me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross\u2019s expression hardened.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou would give away your company to stop a trust transfer.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cImmediately?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019re lying.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel looked at Richard.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDraft it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Richard stared.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDaniel.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCan you?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDo it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross shouted, \u201cStop.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel turned back toward the screen.<\/p>\n<p>Cross had abandoned the transfer terminal again.<\/p>\n<p>Sixty-seven percent.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong, Julian?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross\u2019s face twisted.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou think giving up ownership makes you noble?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThen why?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBecause it makes Sophie free.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou don\u2019t even know what she\u2019ll lose.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMoney.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cControl.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cProperties.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFine.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cVoting rights.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe\u2019s eight.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross stared.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel continued.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou built your entire life around inheriting something Nathan told you would make you matter.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross\u2019s face tightened.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am not you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel\u2019s voice softened.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019re what I could become if I mistake ownership for identity.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross slammed something off-camera.<\/p>\n<p>Transfer paused again.<\/p>\n<p>Richard worked beside Daniel.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI can draft an emergency irrevocable voting surrender to an independent trust.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBeneficiary?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEmployees?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel looked at him.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCan we?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes, but complicated.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDo it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWho controls it?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIndependent trustees.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNames later.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Richard typed.<\/p>\n<p>Cross returned.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou cannot do this legally in five minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Richard answered.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI can do enough to create immediate authority conflict.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross stared at him.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel said, \u201cYou keep forgetting I brought a lawyer.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Richard almost smiled.<\/p>\n<p>The pounding outside grew louder.<\/p>\n<p>Marcus Reed shouted through the locked door.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDaniel!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross triggered another lock.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel asked, \u201cHow long?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Richard typed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTwo minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross moved quickly at his remote station.<\/p>\n<p>Transfer jumped.<\/p>\n<p>Seventy-three.<\/p>\n<p>Seventy-six.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel looked at Anna\u2019s code.<\/p>\n<p>Separate identity from authority.<\/p>\n<p>He searched.<\/p>\n<p>A buried function:<\/p>\n<p>DISAFFILIATE SUBJECT FROM MERCER SUCCESSION CLASS.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel froze.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat is this?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Richard leaned over.<\/p>\n<p>His eyes widened.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnna built a severance.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMeaning?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe can remove Sophie from the special Mercer succession category.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDoes she keep ordinary trust assets?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPotentially.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDoes Cross lose leverage?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross shouted through the speaker:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDo not touch that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel looked at the camera.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnna built this for Sophie.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross\u2019s expression changed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe built it for herself.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel frowned.<\/p>\n<p>Richard read code notes.<\/p>\n<p>Originally subject E.M.<\/p>\n<p>Elaine Mercer.<\/p>\n<p>Anna.<\/p>\n<p>She had built the severance first for herself.<\/p>\n<p>A way to legally detach her biological identity from Mercer control.<\/p>\n<p>Then adapted it for Sophie.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel felt grief rise.<\/p>\n<p>Anna had spent years trying to escape names.<\/p>\n<p>He selected the function.<\/p>\n<p>Prompt:<\/p>\n<p>SUBJECT CONSENT REQUIRED IF OVER AGE 7.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel stared.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSophie has to consent.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Richard nodded.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnna insisted.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Of course.<\/p>\n<p>Even now.<\/p>\n<p>No adults deciding for her.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel almost laughed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut Sophie isn\u2019t here.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross smiled.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cExactly.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Then Daniel remembered the mirror.<\/p>\n<p>Victim-protection protocol.<\/p>\n<p>Remote consent witness.<\/p>\n<p>Anna had anticipated separation.<\/p>\n<p>Richard searched.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s a secure family confirmation channel.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCan we reach it?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo signal.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Marcus Reed still pounded outside.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel looked at the door.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBreak it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross said, \u201cYou\u2019re out of time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Transfer eighty-two percent.<\/p>\n<p>Marcus shouted.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cStand back!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel and Richard moved.<\/p>\n<p>The door exploded inward under a breaching charge.<\/p>\n<p>Marcus Reed entered with officers.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel held up a hand.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo shooting unless necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross was not physically there.<\/p>\n<p>Only remote.<\/p>\n<p>Marcus looked at the screen.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGet me Sophie.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He called immediately.<\/p>\n<p>Signal returned outside the lab.<\/p>\n<p>Margaret answered.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel took the phone.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPut Sophie on.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Seconds.<\/p>\n<p>Then:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDad?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSweetheart, I need you to make a decision.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Sophie sighed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnother weird one?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross\u2019s transfer reached eighty-five.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel spoke quickly but clearly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s a legal thing connected to the Mercer family. It gives other people power over money that belongs to you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOkay.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYour mom created a way for you to leave that system.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Sophie was quiet.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLike quitting?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel almost smiled.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat happens?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou keep being you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDo I lose Grandma?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy school?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMoney?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel hesitated.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMaybe some.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Sophie thought.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDo I have enough snacks?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Despite everything, Daniel laughed.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThen okay.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel closed his eyes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSophie, I need you to say clearly: Do you want to leave the Mercer succession trust?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Sophie answered:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes. I don\u2019t want weird people owning me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel\u2019s throat tightened.<\/p>\n<p>Richard activated remote witness.<\/p>\n<p>Consent recorded.<\/p>\n<p>The screen changed.<\/p>\n<p>SUBJECT DISAFFILIATION PROCESSING.<\/p>\n<p>Cross shouted.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Transfer eighty-eight percent.<\/p>\n<p>Disaffiliation ten.<\/p>\n<p>Twenty.<\/p>\n<p>Cross returned to his controls.<\/p>\n<p>Transfer ninety.<\/p>\n<p>Disaffiliation forty-two.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel stared.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFaster.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Richard shook his head.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDifferent systems.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross\u2019s voice became frantic.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou think this ends with paperwork?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel said nothing.<\/p>\n<p>Transfer ninety-three.<\/p>\n<p>Disaffiliation sixty-one.<\/p>\n<p>Marcus Whitmore called from Bellmont headquarters.<\/p>\n<p>Richard put him on speaker.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnna\u2019s archive finished.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel stared.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEverything?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEverything.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross heard.<\/p>\n<p>His face changed.<\/p>\n<p>Marcus continued.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFederal seizure orders just hit Hartwell-linked accounts.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Nathan\u2019s network was collapsing.<\/p>\n<p>Cross swore.<\/p>\n<p>Transfer ninety-five.<\/p>\n<p>Disaffiliation seventy-eight.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel watched.<\/p>\n<p>Cross leaned toward his camera.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf she leaves succession, Bellmont founder rights collapse permanently.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel answered.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGood.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYour father loses everything.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe can survive disappointment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYour family name becomes irrelevant.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel looked at Sophie\u2019s recorded consent line.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat is the best thing you\u2019ve said all night.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Disaffiliation ninety-one.<\/p>\n<p>Transfer ninety-seven.<\/p>\n<p>Cross slammed commands.<\/p>\n<p>The terminal flashed.<\/p>\n<p>TRANSFER COMPLETE.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel froze.<\/p>\n<p>Cross laughed.<\/p>\n<p>Then another screen changed.<\/p>\n<p>SUBJECT DISAFFILIATION COMPLETE.<\/p>\n<p>TRUST TRANSFER INVALIDATED.<\/p>\n<p>Cross stopped.<\/p>\n<p>Richard exhaled.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel stared.<\/p>\n<p>The transfer completed first.<\/p>\n<p>Then Sophie ceased being a valid subject of it.<\/p>\n<p>The control had nowhere to attach.<\/p>\n<p>Cross looked at his screen.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel whispered:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnna beat you again.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Cross\u2019s face twisted.<\/p>\n<p>He reached off-camera.<\/p>\n<p>Then the feed shook.<\/p>\n<p>A gunshot.<\/p>\n<p>Not in their room.<\/p>\n<p>Cross\u2019s camera toppled.<\/p>\n<p>Daniel stepped closer.<\/p>\n<p>The image showed floor.<\/p>\n<p>Boots.<\/p>\n<p>Cross collapsing.<\/p>\n<p>Blood spreading beneath him.<\/p>\n<p>A second person entered frame.<\/p>\n<p>Only legs visible.<\/p>\n<p>Then a familiar voice.<\/p>\n<p>Nathan.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou were always impatient.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel stared.<\/p>\n<p>Cross gasped:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFather.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Nathan crouched into view.<\/p>\n<p>He looked directly into the camera.<\/p>\n<p>Then toward Daniel.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou took everything.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Daniel felt cold.<\/p>\n<p>Nathan held the gun.<\/p>\n<p>Cross reached weakly toward him.<\/p>\n<p>Nathan stood.<\/p>\n<p>Another gunshot sounded.<\/p>\n<p>The feed cut black.<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h2><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/?p=30658\">Click here to continue reading: PART 32: Nathan\u2019s Killing of His Own Son Ended the Succession Scheme, but Rebecca Revealed Anna Had Planned One Final Reckoning for Edward<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The word transfer appeared on the screen. Not company. Not funds. Not archive. SOPHIE MERCER \u2013 CONTROL STATUS TRANSFER PENDING. Daniel felt cold. \u201cWhat does that mean?\u201d Richard was already &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30626,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30657","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-insightdrama"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30657","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=30657"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30657\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30692,"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30657\/revisions\/30692"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/30626"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=30657"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=30657"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=30657"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}