Chapter 3 - AUNT HELEN'S SANCTUARY
Three months earlier, Claire’s aunt Helen had died.
Helen Parker had no children.
She owned:
Willow Creek Animal Sanctuary.
Thirty-two acres outside Columbus.
Barns.
Pastures.
A small veterinary wing.
Rescue facilities.
The sanctuary cared for:
dogs,
cats,
horses,
goats,
ducks,
and surrendered farm animals.
Estimated property value:
$4.8 million.
Operating endowment:
$3.2 million.
Helen’s will named Claire:
primary stewardship beneficiary.
Not outright owner.
Steward.
If Claire accepted, she would control:
day-to-day operations,
staff appointments,
annual budgets,
animal-care policies.
The land itself remained in charitable trust.
Claire had ninety days to accept.
She had accepted in writing.
Ryan knew.
Linda hated it.
May you like
Not because of the animals.
Because she believed Claire was “too emotional” to control assets worth millions.
