Chapter 4 - THE LAND
Officer Daniels expected a family discipline case.
Then Natalie handed him another document.
A trust agreement.
The Harper Family Land Trust.
Fourteen acres outside Columbus.
Wooded.
Undeveloped.
Bordering a new commercial corridor.
Current estimated value:
$2.6 million.
Beneficial owner:
Lily Harper.
Not Natalie.
Not Evelyn.
Lily.
The land had belonged to Lily’s late grandfather, Thomas Harper.
Before his death, he placed it in trust for Lily.
Natalie served as custodial manager until Lily turned twenty-five.
Major sale required:
Natalie’s consent,
independent trustee approval,
and proof the transaction benefited Lily.
Evelyn had been furious.
Why?
A developer had offered:
$3.1 million.
But only if the land could close before year-end.
Natalie refused.
Not forever.
She wanted environmental review and a second appraisal.
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Evelyn called that sabotage.
Then the police reports started.
