Page 5

"I can sell it later, though?"

She hesitates. "The penthouse is… complicated." She clears her throat. "There's a decades-old lawsuit attached to the property."

That makes me sit up. "What does that mean? What kind of lawsuit?"

She removes her glasses, setting them carefully on the desk. She leans forward on her elbows, watching me. "A settlement was made thirty years ago. Upon your grandfather's death, the inheritor of the penthouse owes the current building owners a quarter million dollars. That must be paid before the property and financial assets are released to you."

I stare at her. "You're saying I have to come up with $250,000 in order to inherit this, or I lose everything."

She nods, steepling her fingers. "Essentially, yes. But it's worth it. The other assets are valued at around $250 million."

I let out a long breath. "Is there any way to fight it? What was the lawsuit about?"

She leans back with a sigh. "The court case was highly publicized. I can have my assistant pull some records, but you'll probably find more online." She frowns. "Legally you could fight it. I wouldn't recommend it."

"Reason being?"

"From my rudimentary understanding of the original court case, the Vanderveens went easy on your grandfather. There were allegations he was involved in some questionable dealings. Most experts at the time thought the penthouse should've stayed with the rest of the building." She gives me a pointed look. "There was talk your grandfather paid off the judge."

I frown. "If I fight it, what would I have to lose?"

She raises an eyebrow. "A lot. The most likely scenario is the penthouse would remain your inheritance. But any judge would award the Vanderveens an adjustment for inflation. That would probably triple what you'd need to come up with."

I inhale slowly, then nod. That's not a risk I'm willing to take. "How long do I have?"

"Legally, ten months after his death. That was ten days ago."

I run my hand through my hair. "And in the meantime, what about the upkeep of the place? Security, all that?" I ask.

She slides a set of keys across the desk. "I can release them to you now if you intend to accept it."

"What else do I need to know?" I ask, my mind racing.

I have to come up with that money.

I need to visit the penthouse and decide what to do about it. I wonder what I'll find inside it. The man was 101 years old, and didn't have anyone close to him.

She shakes her head. "That's everything. That settlement is the only thing standing in the way of you becoming a very wealthy woman, Doctor."

A multi-millionaire.

I stare at the keys.

Where am I going to find that kind of money?

3

Florence

"Morning, boss lady." Gwen, my Executive Assistant, sets a fresh cup of coffee on the desk in front of me.

I give her a grateful smile. "Thank you."

She sits down at her own desk,. This is my favorite part of the day. The rest of the hospital's still waking up, and these early hours are when I get the most done without interruption.

"Boss?" Gwen's voice cuts through the quiet.

"Hm?" I pull my eyes away from my screen. "What is it?"