Chapter 290

The Obsidian Circle had carefully orchestrated the replacement of Victoria Dawson with their own operative. Her objective was clear - marry Liam Blackwood and infiltrate his inner circle to extract classified military secrets.

Having successfully assumed Victoria's identity, she was poised to inherit the vast Wright fortune. Even sharing it with Julian Whitmore seemed a small price to pay. But the shocking revelation that Victoria wasn't actually an Aldenrian citizen - and therefore ineligible to inherit - struck like a physical blow.

Julian had deliberately withheld this crucial information. Evelyn Carter exposed this truth precisely to drive a wedge between the imposter and her supposed uncle.

"As Liam's former lover," Evelyn stated coolly, "I naturally investigated my rival. Imagine my surprise to discover Ms. Wright isn't just an immigrant, but has formally renounced her Aldenrian citizenship. She's now a Solterran national. Under Aldenrian law, foreigners cannot inherit property."

Margaret Hoffis erupted in fury. "That's absurd! How could my granddaughter possibly be Solterran?"

Evelyn knew exactly how devastating this revelation would be to Archibald and Margaret. To them, changing citizenship was tantamount to treason - which was precisely why Evelyn and her parents had kept this secret for so long.

The fake Victoria panicked internally, though she couldn't show it. She glared daggers at Julian, her jaw clenched in silent fury.

"Victoria, is this true?" Margaret demanded.

The imposter remained silent.

"It's true," Julian confirmed.

Margaret staggered as if struck, collapsing into the imposter's arms. "Grandmother, are you alright?" the fake Victoria asked with feigned concern.

When Evelyn moved to help, Margaret recoiled violently. "Don't you dare touch me!"

Evelyn withdrew, noticing a single tear tracing down Archibald's cheek. Her heart ached with unspoken explanations, but revealing the full truth would endanger them all.

Once seated, Margaret turned her wrath on Julian. "You! Victoria's been abroad for years - she wouldn't know Aldenrian laws. But you? This was deliberate, wasn't it?"

"You knew when we died, our wills would become invalid. The Wright fortune would default to you. Quite the scheme, Doctor Whitmore."

"Mother, I never knew about any wills," Julian protested calmly. "My focus has always been medicine, not business."

"Save your lies," Margaret spat. "I'm not your father - I won't be fooled so easily."

"Grandmother, what do we do now?" The imposter's concern was purely about the inheritance.

Evelyn seized the opportunity. "Ms. Wright, you could reclaim your Aldenrian citizenship."

The fake Victoria shot Evelyn a suspicious glare.

Margaret nodded eagerly. "Yes, change it back immediately. Aldenrian law is clear about foreign heirs."

Julian's expression darkened as he studied Evelyn thoughtfully.

"Of course," the imposter agreed quickly, then hesitated. "But Grandmother... I can't. The process requires returning to Solterra in person, and that's impossible right now."