Chapter 10 - THE GRANDMOTHER'S DEAL
Margaret Bennett appeared for deposition in cream cashmere and looked offended by the suggestion that profit and family could conflict.
“The hospital is a legitimate investment.”
Naomi showed the numbers.
“Your son’s fund wants Emma’s trust to pay thirty-eight million dollars for an asset appraised at twenty-seven.”
“Appraisals differ.”
“Eleven million dollars?”
Margaret’s expression tightened.
She argued the property would appreciate after renovation.
Possible.
Then Laura asked:
“Did you tell Ethan I had to be removed?”
Margaret looked at her.
“You were useful when Ethan was broken.”
Laura went still.
“When he recovered, you became an obstacle.”
Emma heard the deposition remotely.
Her face changed.
Laura forced herself to remain calm.
“Did you tell him to turn Emma against me?”
“No.”
“Did you know?”
Silence.
Enough.
Then Margaret produced an old letter from Emma’s maternal uncle, the man who had once served as second fiduciary.
The first paragraph warned that Laura’s devotion might become dependency and that gratitude should not replace family loyalty.
It looked terrible.
Emma stared.
Then Marissa requested the entire letter.
The next paragraph said:
Laura has been the only stable parent Emma has known since Rachel died. Do not remove her impulsively, and never use any transition to gain access to the trust.
Margaret had quoted only the part that helped her.
Emma whispered:
“You all do the same thing.”
Selective truth.
Ethan with the bank records.
Margaret with the letter.
Charles with legal language.
Then the court issued a preliminary order.
Emma’s trust would move under an independent professional trustee while the investigation continued.
Neither Ethan nor Laura would control it alone.
Margaret’s hospital sale was frozen.
Ethan’s fund could not access Emma’s money.
For the first time, his financial motive collapsed.
Then Naomi received the amended accident maintenance log.
The original brake warning had been altered using Margaret Bennett’s credentials.
Margaret stared at it.
“I didn’t do that.”
Laura believed she might be telling the truth.
May you like
Because security records placed Margaret across town at the exact time.
Someone had used her identity too.
