Chapter 5 - SERAPHINA'S BEST DEFENSE
Lauren Pierce did not defend the planted necklace.
She attacked the meaning.
“My client made a terrible attempt to remove an employee she believed was undermining the household.”
Arthur stared.
“She framed her.”
“Yes.”
“At least you can say the word.”
Lauren continued.
But planting a necklace did not prove:
financial fraud,
trust manipulation,
conspiracy with Malcolm,
or attempted theft of children’s assets.
Correct.
Seraphina admitted contacting Malcolm.
Why?
“He understood family-office systems.”
“You hired him after I fired him?”
“I asked questions.”
“What questions?”
“How the restructuring would affect me.”
Arthur laughed bitterly.
“Why not ask me?”
“Because you never answer directly.”
That landed.
Arthur had a habit of saying:
My lawyers are handling it.
Seraphina continued:
“I married a man with two children, three homes, a family office, and trusts I’m not allowed to understand.”
“You were allowed to understand.”
“No. I was allowed to receive summaries.”
Arthur looked at Grace.
She did not rescue him.
Seraphina said:
“I wanted to know what happened if you died.”
“That is reasonable.”
“I wanted to know whether I could stay in the house.”
“Also reasonable.”
“I wanted to know whether your daughters’ trustees could cut me off.”
Arthur paused.
That fear was not absurd.
The Caldwell mansion belonged to a residence trust.
Seraphina had occupancy rights only while married to Arthur and for twelve months after his death unless extended.
She had no guaranteed lifelong home.
That vulnerability was real.
Then Arthur asked:
“So you framed Elena because you were afraid?”
Seraphina answered:
“I framed Elena because she was feeding you every private thing I did.”
Elena said:
“I wasn’t.”
Seraphina looked at her.
“You watched me.”
May you like
“You made me afraid.”
Both could be true.
