Chapter 5 - THE BABY'S HEARTBEATClaire remained hospitalized for observation.
The baby was stable.
Her broken leg required reassessment.
Her shoulder was badly bruised.
No catastrophic injury.
Doctors warned stress and trauma still required monitoring.
Claire spent nights listening to the fetal monitor.
Heartbeat.
Heartbeat.
Heartbeat.
Each sound became reassurance.
Richard stayed nearby.
One night Claire asked:
“Why did you make the baby beneficiary?”
Richard looked surprised.
“Because he's family.”
“You didn't even know him.”
“I don't need to know my grandchild to protect his future.”
Claire smiled faintly.
Then became serious.
“Change it.”
Richard stared.
“What?”
“The trust.”
“Why?”
“I don't want him born with a target on his back.”
Richard understood.
Wealth intended as protection had become information others could weaponize.
They restructured confidentiality and governance.
Professional trustees.
Independent voting controls.
No child would personally control corporate decisions merely by reaching adulthood.
Claire wanted inheritance to create choices.
Not enemies.
Richard agreed.
That decision mattered.
Because the story wasn't going to end with Claire defeating Victoria and becoming another Victoria.
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Power would not simply change hands.
Its structure would change.
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