Chapter 7 - DIANE WASN'T JUST LAUGHING—SHE WAS SIGNING
Diane’s role became clearer through notary logs.
She had witnessed two transfer documents.
One signature purported to be Evelyn’s.
It was not.
The notary stamp belonged to a retired notary who had died eighteen months earlier.
Mara called Samuel immediately.
The forged signature transformed the dispute again.
But investigators moved carefully.
Who created it?
Who applied the stamp?
Who knew it was false?
Diane admitted she witnessed Richard signing paperwork but claimed she did not inspect the signature page.
That defense weakened when an email surfaced.
Diane to Richard:
Mother’s signature doesn’t look right.
Richard:
It’s from the old trust file. Good enough.
Diane:
Then don’t let Claire see it.
Claire read the exchange in silence.
Her mother had laughed in her face while Ava cried.
Now the laughter made sense.
Diane had not merely chosen Allison over Claire.
She thought the paperwork had already made resistance impossible.
She believed the sale was finished.
The money moved.
The trip booked.
The child too young.
May you like
Claire too late.
That arrogance became evidence.
