Chapter 6 - ALLISON HAD BEEN LYING TO EVERYONE
Allison called Claire two days after mediation.
Not to apologize.
To bargain.
“Can we meet without Dad?”
Claire agreed.
They sat in an empty café at 7:00 a.m.
Allison looked exhausted.
“I didn’t know Dad sold all the pieces.”
Claire stared.
“You emailed the dealer asking what Ava’s pieces were worth.”
“I knew about the bracelet and brooch.”
“That’s already enough.”
“I know.”
Claire waited.
Allison swallowed.
“Dad said Grandma intended to redistribute everything anyway.”
“Did you believe him?”
“At first.”
“And later?”
Allison looked away.
There it was.
Later.
“When did you know?”
“After the second sale.”
“Why continue?”
Allison’s face crumpled.
“My business was failing.”
Claire almost laughed.
“You don’t have a business.”
“I was trying to start one.”
“With Ava’s money.”
“I was going to repay it.”
The oldest lie in wealthy families.
Temporary.
Bridge.
Borrow.
Replace later.
Claire said:
“You booked Europe.”
Allison started crying.
“Mom wanted one last family trip before Grandma changed everything.”
“Using stolen proceeds.”
“I didn’t think of it like that.”
“That doesn’t make it different.”
Then Allison revealed something new.
Richard had promised her Northbridge would become the family-office service company after Evelyn was declared incompetent.
She would earn management fees.
Diane would oversee social and charitable accounts.
Richard would control the main trust.
Claire stared at her sister.
“So Europe was a celebration.”
Allison whispered:
“Yes.”
“Of taking control from Grandma.”
“Yes.”
“And Ava’s jewelry paid for it.”
May you like
Allison covered her face.
“Yes.”
