Chapter 4 - The Truth Behind the Emerald Suit
While Joanna navigated the legal labyrinth, Simon began his own covert operation. He didn't have a lawyer’s degree, but he had the sharp, analytical mind Joanna had nurtured. He spent his nights digging through public records and social media archives of the people Denise associated with.
The truth was darker than even Simon had imagined.
He discovered that Jonathan wasn't a wealthy businessman; he was a disgraced venture capitalist with a trail of lawsuits and debt. Denise had been sinking money into Jonathan’s "projects" for months, hoping to secure a life of luxury that she had never worked for. The "real mom" charade wasn't just about the trust fund—it was a desperate, final-act gamble to control a massive payout that could cover their mounting debts.
Simon sat in the dark of their kitchen, the glow of his laptop illuminating his grim expression. He found an old email thread between Denise and an attorney from five years ago. It was a cold, clinical discussion about "the cost of maintaining the child." Even five years ago, Denise had viewed him as a bill to be paid.
"Mom," Simon called out.
Joanna walked in, holding a cup of tea. She looked tired but resilient.
"I found it," Simon said, turning the laptop screen. "She tried to sign over all guardianship and rights when I was fourteen. She couldn't afford the legal fees to finalize it, so she just walked away. She didn't 'leave' me at seventeen; she tried to sell the idea of my upbringing to the family, but they wouldn't take the payout."
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Joanna felt a cold shiver. The realization that Denise had tried to discard him—not once, but multiple times—was the final piece of the puzzle. It wasn't about love. It was about commodification.
"We aren't going to just defend ourselves," Simon said, his voice hardening into a blade. "We’re going to expose the whole structure."
