Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 396: The Heir

Genevieve stood by the wide window of the law office and stared down at the grey streets of West End.

Rain had fallen earlier that morning, and the pavement still glistened under the pale afternoon sun. Cars moved slowly below, their tyres whispering across the wet road.

Her hands were folded tightly in front of her.

Just a few hours earlier, she had scattered Ryan’s ashes on Nancy’s graveside as he had requested.

Now she stood inside a quiet law office late in the evening, waiting for the man who had handled Ryan’s affairs for years.

The office was tidy. Shelves lined the walls. Legal books sat in neat rows. The faint smell of leather and paper filled the air.

The door behind her opened softly. ”Genevieve.”

Genevieve turned as the middle-aged man stepped into the room, holding a folder and a tablet.

His suit was neat, and his expression calm.

”Mr. Halvorsen,” she greeted politely.

Ryan’s lawyer gave a small nod and gestured towards the chair in front of his desk.

”Please, sit. I must say I’m shocked by the turn of events,” he said.

Although Genevieve understood that he was referring to the scandal and the video Ryan had put out about her and the one she’d put out about him, she chose to say nothing to that.

Genevieve walked slowly to the chair and sat down. ”I would like us to get right down to the reason for the meeting.”

Halvorsen sat across from her and opened the folder. ”Ryan’s estate.”

Genevieve nodded. ”Yes. Unfortunately, I’m doing this because neither Dawn nor Josh can be here, and...”

”Given the circumstances, I do not expect them to be here,” he cut in.

Genevieve nodded again.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Halvorsen folded his hands.

”Before we discuss anything else, I need to ask you something directly.”

Genevieve looked at him.

”Did you submit the evidence you had to the authorities? The one you sent to me?”

”Yes,” she said quietly, then clasped her hands tighter. ”Yes. I submitted everything to the financial crimes unit upon my arrival two days ago.”

Halvorsen nodded slowly. ”I thought as much.”

Genevieve lowered her gaze. ”I know this puts you in an awkward position considering you’re his lawyer.”

Halvorsen gave a small shake of his head.

”It does not put me in an awkward position,” he said calmly. ”My duty is to the law and to the estate. Ryan Harris was my client, but that does not mean I am obligated to shield illegal activity.”

Genevieve looked at him carefully. ”You knew all he was up to, didn’t you?”

”I suspected,” he said simply. ”But suspicion and proof are not the same thing. And it wouldn’t be appropriate to question my client.” He tapped the folder lightly. ”However, what you had was substantial.”

Genevieve looked down at her hands again. ”Yes. Proof of my silence over the years.”

Silence settled between them. Then the lawyer sighed softly and leaned back in his chair.

”Well... the consequences of your decision to speak are already in motion.”

Genevieve’s stomach tightened. ”What do you mean?”

Halvorsen opened his tablet and turned the screen slightly so she could see.

”Early this morning, the Financial Crimes Authority officially opened an investigation into Ryan Harris’s financial records.”

Genevieve swallowed and nodded slowly. ”I assumed they would.”

”They had little choice,” he said. ”The evidence you submitted is extensive. The investigation will cover several areas.” He looked at her over the top of the tablet. ”Money laundering. Offshore tax evasion. Fraud through shell companies. And the distribution of unapproved pharmaceutical products.”

Her throat tightened. ”Yes.”

Halvorsen continued calmly. ”Well, the first thing the government has done is freeze all assets connected to Ryan Harris.”

Genevieve met his gaze. ”All of them?” she asked quietly.

”Yes. Personal bank accounts, investment portfolios, corporate accounts, and any charity or foundation tied to his name.”

Genevieve sat back slowly. ”So no one can access anything?”

”Not until the investigation is completed.”

”How long will the investigation take?”

”Several months,” he replied. ”Possibly longer if international accounts are involved.”

She nodded slowly. ”And if everything in the flash drive is confirmed?”

Halvorsen’s voice became firm.

”Then Ryan Harris’ financial empire will collapse. His companies will likely be dismantled. Most of his fortune will be confiscated. And what remains will be a fraction of what he once controlled.”

She frowned slightly. ”What about the companies?”

”They are under financial review,” Halvorsen replied. ”Investigators will audit every transaction.”

”If any of those companies were used to facilitate criminal activity, they may be seized or dissolved.”

Genevieve exhaled slowly. ”And the money?”

”That depends on what investigators confirm.”

She watched him carefully. ”Please explain. I’m not familiar with your legal jargon.”

Halvorsen smiled a little as he folded his hands. ”What I mean is, if the accusations in the flash drive are proven true, the government will classify a large portion of Ryan’s wealth as proceeds of crime.”

Genevieve’s brows drew together. ”What does that mean exactly?”

”It means the state can confiscate those assets.”

”You mean seize them?” She asked to be clear.

”Yes. Funds obtained through fraud, laundering, trafficking, or tax evasion can legally be taken by the government.”

Genevieve stared at him. ”So everything he owned could disappear.”

”Not necessarily,” Halvorsen corrected gently. ”The law distinguishes between illegal wealth and legitimate wealth. If investigators determine that certain assets were earned legally, those assets remain part of the estate.”

She looked thoughtful. ”What happens to the illegal money?”

”It will be forfeited. Some of it may be redirected to compensate victims.”

”Which set of people are considered victims in this case?” She asked curiously.

Halvorsen began listing them calmly. ”Everyone who has suffered due to his misdeeds. This includes donors who unknowingly gave money to the fake charity organisations. Medical institutions harmed by the distribution of illegal pharmaceuticals. And any individuals who may file civil claims related to harassment or abuse.”

Genevieve felt a dull weight settle in her chest. ”So people can still sue him even though he’s dead?”

”Yes. They would sue the estate.”

Genevieve sat very still.

After a moment, Halvorsen added quietly, ”You should also know something else.”

She looked up.

”By submitting that evidence yourself, you have protected your own legal position.”

Her brows drew together. ”What do you mean?”

”You lived in that house for years. You had access to his operations. If the evidence had surfaced later without your cooperation, investigators might have suspected you of being an accomplice.”

Genevieve’s eyes widened slightly. ”An accomplice?”

”Yes.”

”But because you voluntarily handed over the evidence, you are legally recognised as a cooperating witness.”

She exhaled slowly. ”So I avoided becoming part of the investigation.”

”Precisely. Exposing everything the way you did has protected you.”

Silence settled between them again. Genevieve closed her eyes briefly and rubbed her temple slowly.

”So what happens after the investigation and the legal money has been separated from the illegal? That’s assuming there is anything legal.”

Halvorsen closed the folder. ”Whatever remains legally will pass to his heir.”

Genevieve already knew who the heir was. ”Josh.”

Halvorsen shook his head. ”No. Unfortunately, Ryan changed that.”