Page 66 of King's Reckoning
"Very precisely coordinated withdrawal," Barbara added, analyzing the pattern. "The challenges targeted specific documents while preserving certain legal approaches. Almost like..."
"Like they wanted us to see exactly what they were capable of," Rowan finished. "How effectively they could undermine our case when they had the right insight to work with."
She moved to study the case mapping Barbara had created, noting patterns that had been hidden before. "They've been planning this for months. Setting up challenges, testing responses, documenting exactly how we protect key evidence."
"And now they know how to counter those protections," King said grimly. "Using Elena's own approach against us."
"No." Rowan's voice held firm conviction as she pulled up her mother’s original research files. "They know how to counter the obvious protections. The ones Mom deliberately left visible."
Understanding brightened Barbara's expression as she caught Rowan's meaning. "The shadow documentation. Records hidden so deeply even Beasley never found them."
"Because Mom knew this might happen," Rowan explained. "Knew someone would eventually try using her authentication approach against her. So she built an entire parallel documentation framework—evidence that only becomes relevant when the primary records are challenged."
She gestured to files appearing on Barbara's screen. "Look at the pattern. Every challenge,every legal attack...they all connect to specific pieces of supporting evidence. Evidence that strengthens our position rather than weakening it."
"Creating our own opportunity," Reed said with quiet admiration. "While they studied our legal approach..."
"We were studying theirs," Rowan confirmed. "Building a clear picture of their methods, their ownership structures, their ultimate goals." She smiled with quiet determination. "Time to show them exactly why Mom spent years preparing for this moment."
The command center hummed with renewed purpose as teams began analyzing the information they'd gathered. Rowan coordinated between stations, watching insights emerge from seemingly unrelated challenges.
They'd lost this skirmish. Allowed Beasley to expose vulnerabilities in their primary evidence. But in doing so, they'd gained crucial insight into who was really behind these coordinated attacks.
"Start implementing the secondary documentation strategy across all pending cases," she directed. "Full authentication reinforcement using Mom's supporting records. I want every challenge met with evidence they don't even know exists."
"Already on it," Barbara replied, organizing the documents efficiently. "But Rowan...some of these connections...they're remarkable.It's like Elena spent years building an entire hidden framework, just waiting for the right moment to reveal it."
"She did," Rowan said quietly. "And now we know why. Because she understood exactly what people like Beasley would eventually try. How corporations would attempt to use legal challenges to maintain control over resources that rightfully belong to others."
She studied displays showing the clubs’ legal teams coordinating their responses, preparing to present the supporting evidence. They'd faced a coordinated challenge to their primary documentation, but gained something far more valuable—knowledge of exactly who they were really fighting against. Understanding of how deep these corporate connections truly went.
"Reed, get me secure lines to all chapter leaders," she directed. "We need to coordinate our response. Show them we're stronger than they think."
Because Elena hadn't just collected historical records. She'd created an entire parallel framework—evidence hidden within evidence, connections layered within connections.
All waiting for the right moment. The right circumstances. The right person to finally understand their true purpose.
That moment had arrived.
And Rowan intended to make the most of it.
***
Later that evening, as the alliance’s legal teams implemented their coordinated counterstrategy, Rowan found herself on the clubhouse roof with Reed. The sunset painted the sky in shades of gold and crimson as they took a rare moment of quiet together.
"You were brilliant today," Reed said, his arm around her shoulders as they watched the fading light. "The way you saw through their strategy, understood what Elena had really prepared..."
"I had help," Rowan replied, leaning into his warmth. "Barbara's expertise, Dad's guidance, your support... This isn't something anyone could do alone."
"That's what makes it work," Reed agreed. "The alliance, our relationship, all of it. Everyone contributing their strengths toward something larger than themselves."
Rowan thought about everything they'd accomplished in the months since she'd first arrived seeking answers about her father. The alliance they'd built, the history they'd protected, the corporate schemes they'd exposed.
And most importantly, the family she'd found. Not just King, but Reed and all the others who had stood with them through crisis after crisis.
"Wedding's in three days," she mused, feeling the weight of her engagement ring on her finger. "Hard to believe with everything else happening."
Reed's smile was tender as he turned her to face him. "Some things are worth making time for, no matter what else is happening. Some promises need to be kept, especially when the world seems determined to complicate everything."
