Chapter 8: The Man## Chapter 8: The Man Who Thought He Was Who Thought He Was Buying My House
Rebecca finished her Buying My House
Rebecca finished her call and placed the receiver call and placed the receiver down.
"Michael, the bank has agreed to provide the records connected to the down.
"Michael, the bank has agreed to provide the records connected to the disputed credit line. But I want to know who sent Madison that message.""
Madison was disputed credit line. But I want to know who sent Madison that message.""
Madison was still staring at her phone.
"I don't recognize the number.""
"Have you ever heard your mother mention a still staring at her phone.
"I don't recognize the number.""
"Have you ever heard your mother mention a property investor?"" Rebecca asked.
Madison shook her head.
"Not directly.""
"What does that property investor?"" Rebecca asked.
Madison shook her head.
"Not directly.""
"What does that mean?""
She hesitated.
"She used to take calls in the garage. Sometimes mean?""
She hesitated.
"She used to take calls in the garage. Sometimes she'd say she was talking to someone named Grant.""
Rebecca wrote down the name.
"Grant what she'd say she was talking to someone named Grant.""
Rebecca wrote down the name.
"Grant what?""
"I don't know.""
Ethan suddenly looked up.
"Wait.""
He reached into his backpack and?""
"I don't know.""
Ethan suddenly looked up.
"Wait.""
He reached into his backpack and pulled out his own phone.
"I've seen that name.""
He opened his messages pulled out his own phone.
"I've seen that name.""
He opened his messages and scrolled.
A few seconds later, he turned the screen toward us.
It was a and scrolled.
A few seconds later, he turned the screen toward us.
It was a message from Vanessa dated September 12.
*Vanessa:* If anyone asks, you're helping message from Vanessa dated September 12.
*Vanessa:* If anyone asks, you're helping with a family property project. Don't mention the company to your father yet with a family property project. Don't mention the company to your father yet.
Below it was another message.
*Vanessa:* Mr. Grant will handle the financial side. You only.
Below it was another message.
*Vanessa:* Mr. Grant will handle the financial side. You only need to sign where I tell you.
Ethan's face tightened.
"That's what need to sign where I tell you.
Ethan's face tightened.
"That's what she told me when she brought the company papers.""
Rebecca leaned forward.
"Did you she told me when she brought the company papers.""
Rebecca leaned forward.
"Did you ever meet Mr. Grant?""
"No.""
"Did you speak with him?""
"No.""
I stared at the message.
ever meet Mr. Grant?""
"No.""
"Did you speak with him?""
"No.""
I stared at the message.
"Who is Mr. Grant?""
Rebecca picked up her phone.
"I'll find out.""
She made"Who is Mr. Grant?""
Rebecca picked up her phone.
"I'll find out.""
She made another call, this time to a private investigator she regularly worked with on property another call, this time to a private investigator she regularly worked with on property disputes.
After explaining the situation, she gave him the name and the phone number from Madison's message.
Then disputes.
After explaining the situation, she gave him the name and the phone number from Madison's message.
Then she turned toward us.
"Until we know more, nobody should meet Vanessa or anyone claiming she turned toward us.
"Until we know more, nobody should meet Vanessa or anyone claiming to represent her.""
I nodded.
But my attention remained on the words.
*Your mother has already promised to represent her.""
I nodded.
But my attention remained on the words.
Your mother has already promised us the property.
I had spent twenty-two years building my business.
I'd started with us the property.*
I had spent twenty-two years building my business.
I'd started with a used pickup truck, a toolbox, and a small crew of three people a used pickup truck, a toolbox, and a small crew of three people.
I'd worked weekends, holidays, and nights.
When Ethan was born, I'd taken fewer jobs so.
I'd worked weekends, holidays, and nights.
When Ethan was born, I'd taken fewer jobs so I could be home more often.
When his mother died, I'd nearly closed the business because I couldn't imagine I could be home more often.
When his mother died, I'd nearly closed the business because I couldn't imagine raising him alone while managing a growing company.
But I'd kept going.
For Ethan.
For the house.
For the raising him alone while managing a growing company.
But I'd kept going.
For Ethan.
For the house.
For the future.
And now somebody was trying to take it all through paperwork my wife had apparently future.
And now somebody was trying to take it all through paperwork my wife had apparently fabricated.
I wasn't going to let that happen.
At 11:40 that morning, Rebecca received a call.
fabricated.
I wasn't going to let that happen.
At 11:40 that morning, Rebecca received a call.
She listened for nearly five minutes.
Then she looked at me.
"Michael, we found himShe listened for nearly five minutes.
Then she looked at me.
"Michael, we found him.""
"Who?""
"Grant Miller. He operates a property investment company called Miller Residential.""
"Who?""
"Grant Miller. He operates a property investment company called Miller Residential Acquisitions.""
"Does he know Vanessa?""
"Yes. They've been communicating for several months.""
"About Acquisitions.""
"Does he know Vanessa?""
"Yes. They've been communicating for several months.""
"About my house?""
"Apparently.""
Rebecca turned her laptop toward me.
There was a property listing draft my house?""
"Apparently.""
Rebecca turned her laptop toward me.
There was a property listing draft on the screen.
My address.
A photograph of my house.
A projected sale price of $625,000.
I on the screen.
My address.
A photograph of my house.
A projected sale price of $625,000.
I stared at it.
"Where did this come from?""
"The investigator found it in a cached stared at it.
"Where did this come from?""
"The investigator found it in a cached listing associated with Miller's business.""
I leaned closer.
The description read:
*Well-maintained family listing associated with Miller's business.""
I leaned closer.
The description read:
*Well-maintained family residence with significant renovation potential. Ownership transfer pending. Seller prepared to close quickly residence with significant renovation potential.
Ownership transfer pending. Seller prepared to close quickly.*
I felt my jaw tighten.
"Seller?""
Rebecca nodded.
"Vanessa appears to have represented.*
I felt my jaw tighten.
"Seller?""
Rebecca nodded.
"Vanessa appears to have represented herself as having authority to negotiate a sale.""
"But she doesn't own the house.""
"Correct.""
"Can herself as having authority to negotiate a sale.""
"But she doesn't own the house.""
"Correct.""
"Can she sell it?""
"Not lawfully without the necessary authority. However, if someone believes the documents are genuine, she sell it?""
"Not lawfully without the necessary authority. However, if someone believes the documents are genuine, they may already have spent money relying on her representations.""
I stared at the listing.
Then they may already have spent money relying on her representations.""
I stared at the listing.
Then I noticed another detail.
The estimated closing date was December 15.
That was six weeks away.
The same week Vanessa and I noticed another detail.
The estimated closing date was December 15.
That was six weeks away.
The same week Vanessa and Madison were supposed to move into their apartment.
I looked at Rebecca.
"She planned to sell my house while Madison were supposed to move into their apartment.
I looked at Rebecca.
"She planned to sell my house while moving into a new apartment.""
"That's what the timeline suggests.""
"How moving into a new apartment.""
"That's what the timeline suggests.""
"How much was she expecting to get?""
"The draft proposes a sale price much was she expecting to get?""
"The draft proposes a sale price of $625,000. The investor's preliminary offer was $575,000, subject to title verification.""
I stood up of $625,000. The investor's preliminary offer was $575,000, subject to title verification.""
I stood up.
"She doesn't get one dollar.""
Rebecca nodded.
"We're working on that.""
Then.
"She doesn't get one dollar.""
Rebecca nodded.
"We're working on that.""
Then she clicked another attachment.
It was an email exchange between Vanessa and Grant.
The first message was from Vanessa.
**Van she clicked another attachment.
It was an email exchange between Vanessa and Grant.
The first message was from Vanessa.
*Vanessa: The property is worth considerably more than the mortgage-free value listed inessa:* The property is worth considerably more than the mortgage-free value listed in the original appraisal. I have already invested in the improvements and have a beneficial interest.
the original appraisal. I have already invested in the improvements and have a beneficial interest.
Grant replied:
*Grant:* I need documentary proof of your ownership position before we proceed.
Vanessa'sGrant replied:
*Grant:* I need documentary proof of your ownership position before we proceed.
Vanessa's response came two days later.
*Vanessa:* I have filed the necessary response came two days later.
*Vanessa:* I have filed the necessary notice. My husband is aware of the arrangement and will complete the transfer shortly.
I read the sentence twice.
My husband is aware.
notice. My husband is aware of the arrangement and will complete the transfer shortly.
I read the sentence twice.
My husband is aware.
I shook my head.
"She's telling him I agreed.""
"Yes," Rebecca said.
"CanI shook my head.
"She's telling him I agreed.""
"Yes," Rebecca said.
"Can we prove I didn't?""
"We have your sworn statement, your historical we prove I didn't?""
"We have your sworn statement, your historical signatures, the bank's authentication records, and the accountant's records. We'll also obtain the original signatures, the bank's authentication records, and the accountant's records. We'll also obtain the original filing documents.""
She scrolled farther.
Then she stopped.
"Michael, look at this.""
The next email was dated October filing documents.""
She scrolled farther.
Then she stopped.
"Michael, look at this.""
The next email was dated October 25.
*Grant:* I understand the property transfer is expected soon. However, I am 25.
*Grant:* I understand the property transfer is expected soon. However, I am concerned about the existing occupant.
Vanessa replied:
*Vanessa:* Ethan will be gone concerned about the existing occupant.
Vanessa replied:
*Vanessa:* Ethan will be gone before closing. He's already preparing to move. He has before closing.
He's already preparing to move. He has no legal interest in the property.
I felt my chest tighten.
Ethan was sitting beside me.
He read the no legal interest in the property.
I felt my chest tighten.
Ethan was sitting beside me.
He read the message.
Then he slowly looked up.
"She told him I was moving out?""
Rebecca nodded.
Ethan swallowed.
"So message.
Then he slowly looked up.
"She told him I was moving out?""
Rebecca nodded.
Ethan swallowed.
"So she knew I was packing.""
I turned toward him.
"She knew.""
"She knew I was leaving because I couldn't afford her rent.""
Nobody she knew I was packing.""
I turned toward him.
"She knew.""
"She knew I was leaving because I couldn't afford her rent.""
Nobody spoke.
Ethan stared at the screen.
Then he said something that made me feel sick.
"She was spoke.
Ethan stared at the screen.
Then he said something that made me feel sick.
"She was probably happy.""
I looked at him.
"Why?""
"Because if I moved out, there wouldn't be probably happy.""
I looked at him.
"Why?""
"Because if I moved out, there wouldn't be anyone here to tell you what was happening.""
I couldn't answer.
Because he was right.
Van anyone here to tell you what was happening.""
I couldn't answer.
Because he was right.
Vanessa had spent months isolating him financially and emotionally.
She had made him believe hisessa had spent months isolating him financially and emotionally.
She had made him believe his father didn't want him around.
Then she had used his departure as evidence that he had no interest father didn't want him around.
Then she had used his departure as evidence that he had no interest in the property.
It was calculated.
And it was cruel.
At 1:15 p.m., the investigator in the property.
It was calculated.
And it was cruel.
At 1:15 p.m., the investigator called Rebecca again.
She put the call on speaker.
"Rebecca, I spoke called Rebecca again.
She put the call on speaker.
"Rebecca, I spoke with Grant Miller.""
"What did he say?""
"He confirmed that he met Vanessa several times and with Grant Miller.""
"What did he say?""
"He confirmed that he met Vanessa several times and believed she had an ownership interest in the property.""
"Did he receive any documents?""
"Yes. A property claim, an alleged believed she had an ownership interest in the property.""
"Did he receive any documents?""
"Yes. A property claim, an alleged marital contribution agreement, and a preliminary transfer authorization.""
I leaned forward.
" marital contribution agreement, and a preliminary transfer authorization.""
I leaned forward.
"Did he pay her?""
The investigator paused.
"Yes.""
MyDid he pay her?""
The investigator paused.
"Yes.""
My stomach dropped.
"How much?""
"Thirty thousand dollars.""
I stared at Rebecca.
"Thirty thousand?""
"According to Grant, it stomach dropped.
"How much?""
"Thirty thousand dollars.""
I stared at Rebecca.
"Thirty thousand?""
"According to Grant, it was an advance against the expected transaction.""
"Where did the money was an advance against the expected transaction.""
"Where did the money go?""
The investigator continued.
"Twenty thousand went to an account under V&M Property Solutions. Five thousand was paid go?""
The investigator continued.
"Twenty thousand went to an account under V&M Property Solutions. Five thousand was paid to a company called Bright Path Consulting. The remaining five thousand was transferred to Vanessa personally.""
I looked at Daniel's earlier records in to a company called Bright Path Consulting. The remaining five thousand was transferred to Vanessa personally.""
I looked at Daniel's earlier records in my mind.
The money was moving through companies.
Some under Vanessa's name.
Some under Ethan's.
my mind.
The money was moving through companies.
Some under Vanessa's name.
Some under Ethan's.
And now an investor was paying her for a property she didn't own.
Rebecca asked the investigator another question.
"Did Grant knowAnd now an investor was paying her for a property she didn't own.
Rebecca asked the investigator another question.
"Did Grant know Michael disputed the ownership claim?""
"No. He says Vanessa told him Michael had already Michael disputed the ownership claim?""
"No. He says Vanessa told him Michael had already approved the sale.""
I leaned toward the speaker.
"Can I speak to him?""
Rebecca hesitated.
" approved the sale.""
I leaned toward the speaker.
"Can I speak to him?""
Rebecca hesitated.
"Michael—"
"I want to hear what he believes.""
The investigator said something toMichael—"
"I want to hear what he believes.""
The investigator said something to someone on his end.
Then another voice came through.
"Mr. Carter?""
"Yes.""
"This is someone on his end.
Then another voice came through.
"Mr. Carter?""
"Yes.""
"This is Grant Miller.""
I took a breath.
"Did my wife tell you she owned half my house?""
"Yes, sir.""
"Did she show you proof Grant Miller.""
I took a breath.
"Did my wife tell you she owned half my house?""
"Yes, sir.""
"Did she show you proof?""
"She showed me a recorded property claim and several financial documents.""
"Did she show you a?""
"She showed me a recorded property claim and several financial documents.""
"Did she show you a deed?""
There was a pause.
"She said the transfer document was being finalized.""
"Did she tell you deed?""
There was a pause.
"She said the transfer document was being finalized.""
"Did she tell you I had agreed to sell?""
"She said you had agreed in principle.""
I closed my I had agreed to sell?""
"She said you had agreed in principle.""
I closed my eyes.
"Mr. Miller, I have never agreed to sell my property. I have never agreed to transfer ownership to eyes.
"Mr. Miller, I have never agreed to sell my property. I have never agreed to transfer ownership to my wife. I have never authorized anyone to negotiate a sale on my behalf.""
Grant went quiet.
Then he said:
" my wife. I have never authorized anyone to negotiate a sale on my behalf.""
Grant went quiet.
Then he said:
"Mr. Carter, I think I've been misled.""
I looked at Rebecca.
"Have you received aMr. Carter, I think I've been misled.""
I looked at Rebecca.
"Have you received a copy of the documents?""
"Yes.""
"Please preserve every communication and payment record. My copy of the documents?""
"Yes.""
"Please preserve every communication and payment record. My attorney will contact you.""
"Of course.""
I ended the call.
For several seconds, I simply stood attorney will contact you.""
"Of course.""
I ended the call.
For several seconds, I simply stood there.
Then Rebecca spoke.
"We have enough to move forward with a formal legal response.""
there.
Then Rebecca spoke.
"We have enough to move forward with a formal legal response.""
"How quickly?""
"Today.""
I nodded.
"Do it.""
At 4:30 p.m"How quickly?""
"Today.""
I nodded.
"Do it.""
At 4:30 p.m., we returned home.
Ethan went upstairs.
Madison remained in the kitchen, staring at the photograph., we returned home.
Ethan went upstairs.
Madison remained in the kitchen, staring at the photograph of the property listing.
I placed my keys on the counter.
Then my phone of the property listing.
I placed my keys on the counter.
Then my phone rang.
Vanessa.
I answered.
"What?""
"Michael, we need to talk.""
"About rang.
Vanessa.
I answered.
"What?""
"Michael, we need to talk.""
"About what?""
"Grant called me.""
I glanced at Rebecca's business what?""
"Grant called me.""
I glanced at Rebecca's business card.
"Did he?""
"He said you're making accusations.""
"I'm stating facts.""
"You card.
"Did he?""
"He said you're making accusations.""
"I'm stating facts.""
"You have no idea what you're doing.""
"Then explain it.""
She exhaled sharply.
"Grant is have no idea what you're doing.""
"Then explain it.""
She exhaled sharply.
"Grant is threatening to withdraw the investment.""
"Good.""
"Do you understand what threatening to withdraw the investment.""
"Good.""
"Do you understand what you've done?""
I almost laughed.
"What I've done?""
"You've destroyed months of work!""
I gripped the phone you've done?""
I almost laughed.
"What I've done?""
"You've destroyed months of work!""
I gripped the phone.
"Months of work trying to sell my house?""
"Our house!""
"My name is on the deed.
"Months of work trying to sell my house?""
"Our house!""
"My name is on the deed.""
"Because I trusted you!""
I stared at the kitchen wall.
She was.""
"Because I trusted you!""
I stared at the kitchen wall.
She was still doing it.
Turning every consequence into something I'd done to her.
"Van still doing it.
Turning every consequence into something I'd done to her.
"Vanessa, did you receive thirty thousand dollars from Grant?""
Silence.
Then she said:
"He was investingessa, did you receive thirty thousand dollars from Grant?""
Silence.
Then she said:
"He was investing in our future.""
"Did you tell him you owned half my property?""
"I have in our future.""
"Did you tell him you owned half my property?""
"I have a legitimate claim.""
"Did you forge Madison's signature?""
"I did not.""
"Did a legitimate claim.""
"Did you forge Madison's signature?""
"I did not.""
"Did you forge mine?""
"Michael, stop throwing around words you forge mine?""
"Michael, stop throwing around words you don't understand.""
I took a slow breath.
"Rebecca has the documents.""
Her voice changed.
"You're working you don't understand.""
I took a slow breath.
"Rebecca has the documents.""
Her voice changed.
"You're working with Rebecca?""
"Yes.""
"You're actually bringing lawyers into this?""
"You brought an investor into my with Rebecca?""
"Yes.""
"You're actually bringing lawyers into this?""
"You brought an investor into my house.""
She was silent.
Then she said:
"You house.""
She was silent.
Then she said:
"You need to think about what happens if you keep going.""
I looked toward the staircase.
Ethan had appeared at the top.
need to think about what happens if you keep going.""
I looked toward the staircase.
Ethan had appeared at the top.
He was listening.
I lowered my voice.
"What's that supposed to mean?""
He was listening.
I lowered my voice.
"What's that supposed to mean?""
Vanessa spoke slowly.
"Madison isn't the only person who signed something.""
Vanessa spoke slowly.
"Madison isn't the only person who signed something.""
My blood ran cold.
"Who else?""
She ended the call.
I stared at the screen.
Then EthanMy blood ran cold.
"Who else?""
She ended the call.
I stared at the screen.
Then Ethan came downstairs.
"Dad?""
I turned toward him.
"What?""
He looked frightened.
" came downstairs.
"Dad?""
I turned toward him.
"What?""
He looked frightened.
"She called me earlier.""
"What did she say?""
He swallowed.
"She told me I should come to theShe called me earlier.""
"What did she say?""
He swallowed.
"She told me I should come to the apartment tomorrow.""
"Why?""
"She said she needed one last signature.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What document?""
E apartment tomorrow.""
"Why?""
"She said she needed one last signature.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What document?""
Ethan shook his head.
"She wouldn't tell me.""
Then he opened his phone.
"She sent methan shook his head.
"She wouldn't tell me.""
Then he opened his phone.
"She sent me a picture.""
I took the phone.
The document was titled:
**FINAL a picture.""
I took the phone.
The document was titled:
*FINAL BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP CONFIRMATION.*
At the bottom were two signature lines.
One belonged BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP CONFIRMATION.**
At the bottom were two signature lines.
One belonged to Ethan.
The other belonged to me.
And beneath them was a sentence that changed everything.
*Upon execution to Ethan.
The other belonged to me.
And beneath them was a sentence that changed everything.
Upon execution, the undersigned acknowledge that Carter Family Holdings LLC has a valid beneficial interest in the residential, the undersigned acknowledge that Carter Family Holdings LLC has a valid beneficial interest in the residential property located at Michael Carter's registered address.
I looked at my son.
"She wants you to sign this?""
property located at Michael Carter's registered address.*
I looked at my son.
"She wants you to sign this?""
He nodded.
"She said if I sign, she'll give me the twenty thousand dollars she promised.""
I slowlyHe nodded.
"She said if I sign, she'll give me the twenty thousand dollars she promised.""
I slowly handed the phone back.
"You're not signing anything.""
He looked at me.
"I know.""
Then he handed the phone back.
"You're not signing anything.""
He looked at me.
"I know.""
Then he whispered:
"There's something else. She said if I refuse, she'll tell the police I stole whispered:
"There's something else. She said if I refuse, she'll tell the police I stole the money from the company.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"Let her try.""
But as the money from the company.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"Let her try.""
But as I looked at the document again, I noticed a name printed in the lower I looked at the document again, I noticed a name printed in the lower corner.
The person who had prepared it wasn't Vanessa.
It was a lawyer.
And his name was the corner.
The person who had prepared it wasn't Vanessa.
It was a lawyer.
And his name was the same name Rebecca had just mentioned.
The lawyer who had notarized the disputed same name Rebecca had just mentioned.
The lawyer who had notarized the disputed property claim.
Vanessa hadn't been working alone.
And now we finally had a name.
property claim.
May you like
Vanessa hadn't been working alone.
And now we finally had a name.
