Chapter 9: The Two Million Dollar Secret
Nobody spoke.
I looked at Denise.
"Two million dollars?""
She nodded.
"Your mother invested in several properties and financial assets over the years. The house was only one part of the arrangement.""
I stared at Robert.
He was several properties and financial assets over the years. The house was only one part of the arrangement.""
I stared at Robert.
He was already searching through the documents we had recovered.
"Marcus, I need to see the trust schedule.""
I handed him the folder.
He examined each page carefully.
Then he stopped at an already searching through the documents we had recovered.
"Marcus, I need to see the trust schedule.""
I handed him the folder.
He examined each page carefully.
Then he stopped at an attachment.
"Here.""
He turned it toward me.
The document listed several assets held by the trust.
The family house.
A small commercial property.
An investment portfolio.
And a separate attachment.
"Here.""
He turned it toward me.
The document listed several assets held by the trust.
The family house.
A small commercial property.
An investment portfolio.
And a separate account.
The estimated total value was $1.86 million.
I sat down.
My mother had never told me about this.
She had lived account.
The estimated total value was $1.86 million.
I sat down.
My mother had never told me about this.
She had lived modestly.
She drove an old sedan, wore the same winter coat for years, and complained whenever modestly.
She drove an old sedan, wore the same winter coat for years, and complained whenever I tried to buy her expensive gifts.
I had assumed her estate consisted mainly of the house and I tried to buy her expensive gifts.
I had assumed her estate consisted mainly of the house and a modest savings account.
Apparently, she had quietly built a much larger financial legacy.
I looked at Denise.
"How did you know about this?""
She wiped her cheeks.
"Claire told a modest savings account.
Apparently, she had quietly built a much larger financial legacy.
I looked at Denise.
"How did you know about this?""
She wiped her cheeks.
"Claire told me.""
"Why?""
"Because I asked about the trust.""
"When?""
"Last year.""
I shook my head.
"And you decided to take control me.""
"Why?""
"Because I asked about the trust.""
"When?""
"Last year.""
I shook my head.
"And you decided to take control of it?""
"I thought the money could help the children.""
"All the children?""
She looked away.
I laughed bitterly.
"That's becoming a familiar phrase.""
Denise stood.
"Marcus, I know you're angry of it?""
"I thought the money could help the children.""
"All the children?""
She looked away.
I laughed bitterly.
"That's becoming a familiar phrase.""
Denise stood.
"Marcus, I know you're angry, but I was trying to make sure my children weren't left with nothing.""
I stared at her.
"Your children?""
She, but I was trying to make sure my children weren't left with nothing.""
I stared at her.
"Your children?""
She nodded.
"Jordan and Brianna.""
"And Maya?""
She hesitated.
"She already has you.""
I felt my hands go nodded.
"Jordan and Brianna.""
"And Maya?""
She hesitated.
"She already has you.""
I felt my hands go cold.
There it was again.
The belief that Maya's inheritance didn't matter because she had a father.
The cold.
There it was again.
The belief that Maya's inheritance didn't matter because she had a father.
The belief that my daughter should be grateful for whatever scraps remained after everyone else had taken what they wanted.
I stood.
"Do you hear yourself?""
Denise began belief that my daughter should be grateful for whatever scraps remained after everyone else had taken what they wanted.
I stood.
"Do you hear yourself?""
Denise began crying.
"Marcus, I didn't mean it like that.""
"Then how did you mean it?""
She shook her head.
"I wanted to provide for my children.""
"You had crying.
"Marcus, I didn't mean it like that.""
"Then how did you mean it?""
She shook her head.
"I wanted to provide for my children.""
"You had five years to build a relationship with Maya. You had five years to treat her like family. Instead, you tried to make her leave five years to build a relationship with Maya.
You had five years to treat her like family. Instead, you tried to make her leave while taking money that belonged to her.""
Denise lowered her head.
I turned toward Robert.
"What do we know about the two million dollars?""
He tapped the document.
"The assets are held by while taking money that belonged to her.""
Denise lowered her head.
I turned toward Robert.
"What do we know about the two million dollars?""
He tapped the document.
"The assets are held by the trust. We need confirmation from the financial institutions, but these figures appear the trust. We need confirmation from the financial institutions, but these figures appear to be from the last annual valuation.""
"Can Denise access them?""
"No. Not based on what we've seen.""
"Can Claire?""
Robert paused to be from the last annual valuation.""
"Can Denise access them?""
"No. Not based on what we've seen.""
"Can Claire?""
Robert paused.
"That depends on the authority granted to her under the administrative arrangement.""
I frowned.
"She was the successor administrator.
"That depends on the authority granted to her under the administrative arrangement.""
I frowned.
"She was the successor administrator.""
"Correct. But that doesn't automatically mean she owns the assets or can distribute them however she chooses.""
I thought about the photograph of Eleanor and my mother.
"Why would my mother.""
"Correct. But that doesn't automatically mean she owns the assets or can distribute them however she chooses.""
I thought about the photograph of Eleanor and my mother.
"Why would my mother choose Eleanor Whitmore?""
Robert looked at the old letter.
"Because they trusted each other.""
Then he turned another page.
"There is a provision here choose Eleanor Whitmore?""
Robert looked at the old letter.
"Because they trusted each other.""
Then he turned another page.
"There is a provision here about conflicts of interest.""
He read silently.
His eyebrows rose.
"What is it?"" I asked.
"Your mother anticipated that a beneficiary's relative might attempt to influence the trust administrator.""
I looked at Denise.
Robert about conflicts of interest.""
He read silently.
His eyebrows rose.
"What is it?"" I asked.
"Your mother anticipated that a beneficiary's relative might attempt to influence the trust administrator.""
I looked at Denise.
Robert continued.
"If an administrator has a personal or financial relationship with someone attempting to acquire trust assets, that relationship must be disclosed.""
I stared at him.
"Did Claire continued.
"If an administrator has a personal or financial relationship with someone attempting to acquire trust assets, that relationship must be disclosed.""
I stared at him.
"Did Claire disclose her relationship with Denise?""
He shook his head.
"Not yet.""
I looked at Denise.
"How do you know Claire?""
She didn't disclose her relationship with Denise?""
He shook his head.
"Not yet.""
I looked at Denise.
"How do you know Claire?""
She didn't answer.
"Tell me.""
Finally, she sat down.
"Claire and I went to college together.""
I frowned.
"What?""
"Years answer.
"Tell me.""
Finally, she sat down.
"Claire and I went to college together.""
I frowned.
"What?""
"Years ago.""
I looked at Robert.
He was silent.
Denise continued.
"We lost touch for a while. Then I found out she was handling some of Eleanor's affairs.""
I stared at her.
"You knew her ago.""
I looked at Robert.
He was silent.
Denise continued.
"We lost touch for a while. Then I found out she was handling some of Eleanor's affairs.""
I stared at her.
"You knew her before she became involved with the trust?""
"Yes.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I didn't think it mattered.""
Robert before she became involved with the trust?""
"Yes.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I didn't think it mattered.""
Robert leaned forward.
"Mrs. Bennett, did you and Claire have any financial arrangements before this property matter?""
Denise hesitated.
Then she nodded.
"We had a small investment leaned forward.
"Mrs. Bennett, did you and Claire have any financial arrangements before this property matter?""
Denise hesitated.
Then she nodded.
"We had a small investment together.""
"What investment?""
"A rental property.""
I looked at her.
"Where?""
She named a town about together.""
"What investment?""
"A rental property.""
I looked at her.
"Where?""
She named a town about forty minutes away.
I knew the area.
Property prices had increased significantly forty minutes away.
I knew the area.
Property prices had increased significantly over the last few years.
Robert asked, "Who owns it?""
"Claire and me.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"With what money?""
Denise looked at me.
"Some savings.""
"Whose savings?""
She didn't over the last few years.
Robert asked, "Who owns it?""
"Claire and me.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"With what money?""
Denise looked at me.
"Some savings.""
"Whose savings?""
She didn't answer.
I remembered the recurring transfers.
The money leaving our household account.
The payments to Claire answer.
I remembered the recurring transfers.
The money leaving our household account.
The payments to Claire.
The amounts sent to Jordan and Brianna.
Suddenly, everything seemed connected.
Robert asked another question.
"Did you use money from the trust.
The amounts sent to Jordan and Brianna.
Suddenly, everything seemed connected.
Robert asked another question.
"Did you use money from the trust to purchase the rental property?""
Denise shook her head.
"No.""
"Did you use money from the household account?""
She hesitated.
"Some.""
I stared at her.
"How much?""
"About twenty thousand.""
I felt dizzy to purchase the rental property?""
Denise shook her head.
"No.""
"Did you use money from the household account?""
She hesitated.
"Some.""
I stared at her.
"How much?""
"About twenty thousand.""
I felt dizzy.
"Twenty thousand dollars from our household account went into an investment you own with Claire?""
Denise started crying again.
"I was.
"Twenty thousand dollars from our household account went into an investment you own with Claire?""
Denise started crying again.
"I was going to replace it.""
"When?""
"When the rental property started generating income.""
I looked at Robert.
"Can we get the records?""
"Yes. We can request them through the proper legal process.""
I turned back toward Denise.
going to replace it.""
"When?""
"When the rental property started generating income.""
I looked at Robert.
"Can we get the records?""
"Yes. We can request them through the proper legal process.""
I turned back toward Denise.
"Did Claire know you were using my money?""
Denise nodded.
"Yes.""
"Did she know about Maya's education account?""
She nodded again.
"Yes.""
I stepped backward.
"Then she wasn't simply"Did Claire know you were using my money?""
Denise nodded.
"Yes.""
"Did she know about Maya's education account?""
She nodded again.
"Yes.""
I stepped backward.
"Then she wasn't simply helping you.""
Denise looked up.
"Marcus...""
"She was helping you take money from my daughter.""
She covered her face helping you.""
Denise looked up.
"Marcus...""
"She was helping you take money from my daughter.""
She covered her face.
I walked away.
For five years, I had treated Denise's children as my own.
I had helped them because.
I walked away.
For five years, I had treated Denise's children as my own.
I had helped them because I believed kindness should not depend on biology.
Now I was discovering that the woman I had trusted had turned that I believed kindness should not depend on biology.
Now I was discovering that the woman I had trusted had turned that kindness into a financial opportunity.
My phone rang.
Robert looked at the screen.
"It's Claire.""
I answered.
"Hello.""
Her voice kindness into a financial opportunity.
My phone rang.
Robert looked at the screen.
"It's Claire.""
I answered.
"Hello.""
Her voice sounded strained.
"Mr. Bennett, we need to meet.""
"Why?""
"Because I've discovered something about Denise's submission.""
"What?""
She lowered her voice.
"The sounded strained.
"Mr. Bennett, we need to meet.""
"Why?""
"Because I've discovered something about Denise's submission.""
"What?""
She lowered her voice.
"The original surrender letter wasn't created by Daniel Price.""
I closed my eyes.
"Who created it?""
"I have reason original surrender letter wasn't created by Daniel Price.""
I closed my eyes.
"Who created it?""
"I have reason to believe it was prepared using a template from my office.""
I stared at Robert.
"Are you saying someone stole your documents to believe it was prepared using a template from my office.""
I stared at Robert.
"Are you saying someone stole your documents?""
"Possibly. But that's not the worst part.""
"What is?""
Claire paused.
"The letter was submitted?""
"Possibly. But that's not the worst part.""
"What is?""
Claire paused.
"The letter was submitted with an additional affidavit.""
"What affidavit?""
"A statement claiming Maya was financially dependent on you and had voluntarily agreed to relinquish her rights because with an additional affidavit.""
"What affidavit?""
"A statement claiming Maya was financially dependent on you and had voluntarily agreed to relinquish her rights because she had received an equivalent inheritance from her biological mother.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"That's false.""
"I know.""
"Who signed it?""
"Denise.""
I looked toward my wife.
She was she had received an equivalent inheritance from her biological mother.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"That's false.""
"I know.""
"Who signed it?""
"Denise.""
I looked toward my wife.
She was watching me.
Claire continued.
"But there is another name on the affidavit.""
"Whose?""
"Daniel Price.""
I looked at Robert.
watching me.
Claire continued.
"But there is another name on the affidavit.""
"Whose?""
"Daniel Price.""
I looked at Robert.
He immediately began writing.
Claire took a breath.
"And Mr. Bennett, I need to tell you something about Daniel. He isn't a licensed attorney.""
I felt my blood runHe immediately began writing.
Claire took a breath.
"And Mr. Bennett, I need to tell you something about Daniel. He isn't a licensed attorney.""
I felt my blood run cold.
"What?""
"He previously worked as a document preparation assistant. He has been investigated for submitting unauthorized property documents in another county.""
Robert stepped cold.
"What?""
"He previously worked as a document preparation assistant. He has been investigated for submitting unauthorized property documents in another county.""
Robert stepped closer.
"Claire, did you report this?""
"Not yet. I wanted to speak with you first.""
"Why?""
"Because Daniel closer.
"Claire, did you report this?""
"Not yet. I wanted to speak with you first.""
"Why?""
"Because Daniel has been contacting me, and he says he has documents proving Denise was acting under instructions has been contacting me, and he says he has documents proving Denise was acting under instructions from someone else.""
I frowned.
"Who?""
Claire went silent.
Then she said:
"Someone connected to your family.""
I looked toward from someone else.""
I frowned.
"Who?""
Claire went silent.
Then she said:
"Someone connected to your family.""
I looked toward Jordan's empty chair.
"Who?""
Claire answered quietly.
"Your wife's brother.""
I stared.
Denise had never mentioned her brother much.
His Jordan's empty chair.
"Who?""
Claire answered quietly.
"Your wife's brother.""
I stared.
Denise had never mentioned her brother much.
His name was Richard.
He lived in another state and occasionally visited for holidays.
I remembered him as a quiet man who worked in finance.
"What does Richard have to do with this?""
Claire explained name was Richard.
He lived in another state and occasionally visited for holidays.
I remembered him as a quiet man who worked in finance.
"What does Richard have to do with this?""
Claire explained.
"He contacted Daniel several months ago. He was the one who introduced Denise to him.""
Robert's expression changed.
"Do.
"He contacted Daniel several months ago. He was the one who introduced Denise to him.""
Robert's expression changed.
"Do you have evidence?""
"I have emails.""
"Can you send them?""
"Yes. But there's a problem.""
"What problem?""
"Richard you have evidence?""
"I have emails.""
"Can you send them?""
"Yes. But there's a problem.""
"What problem?""
"Richard has already filed a claim against the trust.""
I frowned.
"On what grounds?""
Claire took a breath.
"He claims your mother promised has already filed a claim against the trust.""
I frowned.
"On what grounds?""
Claire took a breath.
"He claims your mother promised him a share of the property years ago.""
I stared at the phone.
"My mother barely knew Richard.""
"That's what I thought.""
Robert asked, "What evidence has he provided?""
"A him a share of the property years ago.""
I stared at the phone.
"My mother barely knew Richard.""
"That's what I thought.""
Robert asked, "What evidence has he provided?""
"A handwritten agreement.""
My stomach tightened.
"Signed by my mother?""
"Yes.""
I looked at the handwritten agreement.""
My stomach tightened.
"Signed by my mother?""
"Yes.""
I looked at the photograph on the table.
My mother's handwriting.
Her signature.
Another document that could have been forged.
"Send it photograph on the table.
My mother's handwriting.
Her signature.
Another document that could have been forged.
"Send it to Robert," I said.
"I will.""
The call ended.
Robert immediately began reviewing the available records.
Denise sat silently.
For several minutes to Robert," I said.
"I will.""
The call ended.
Robert immediately began reviewing the available records.
Denise sat silently.
For several minutes, nobody spoke.
Then Maya approached her.
"Why did you do this?""
Denise looked up.
"Sweetheart—"
"Don't, nobody spoke.
Then Maya approached her.
"Why did you do this?""
Denise looked up.
"Sweetheart—"
"Don't call me that.""
Denise flinched.
Maya continued.
"Why did you tell me I had to leave?""
Denise wiped her face.
"Because I call me that.""
Denise flinched.
Maya continued.
"Why did you tell me I had to leave?""
Denise wiped her face.
"Because I thought it would make things easier.""
"For who?""
Denise looked down.
Maya's voice trembled.
"I thought you thought it would make things easier.""
"For who?""
Denise looked down.
Maya's voice trembled.
"I thought you didn't like me. I thought maybe I reminded you that Dad had a life before you.""
Denise said didn't like me. I thought maybe I reminded you that Dad had a life before you.""
Denise said nothing.
Maya continued.
"I never asked you to love me like Mom did. I just wanted you to stop nothing.
Maya continued.
"I never asked you to love me like Mom did. I just wanted you to stop treating me like I was stealing something from you.""
Denise began crying.
"I was jealous.""
The room went silent.
Maya stared at her.
"Of treating me like I was stealing something from you.""
Denise began crying.
"I was jealous.""
The room went silent.
Maya stared at her.
"Of what?""
Denise swallowed.
"Of how much your father loved your mother. Of how much he protected you. I felt like there was never enough room for me.""
I felt something heavy settle in my chest.
what?""
Denise swallowed.
"Of how much your father loved your mother. Of how much he protected you. I felt like there was never enough room for me.""
I felt something heavy settle in my chest.
I had suspected resentment.
But hearing her admit it didn't make the betrayal easier to understand.
"YouI had suspected resentment.
But hearing her admit it didn't make the betrayal easier to understand.
"You could have talked to me," I said.
Denise looked at me.
"I tried.""
"When?""
"Every time I told you Maya needed to could have talked to me," I said.
Denise looked at me.
"I tried.""
"When?""
"Every time I told you Maya needed to grow up, you defended her.""
I shook my head.
"Because you were treating her unfairly.""
Denise looked down.
Then grow up, you defended her.""
I shook my head.
"Because you were treating her unfairly.""
Denise looked down.
Then she whispered:
"I wanted the house to be mine.""
I stared.
"What?""
She looked toward the living room.
"Your mother's house. The trust. The money. she whispered:
"I wanted the house to be mine.""
I stared.
"What?""
She looked toward the living room.
"Your mother's house. The trust. The money. Everything.""
I felt my stomach turn.
"Why?""
"Because I wanted something that belonged to me. Something I didn't have to share with your memories Everything.""
I felt my stomach turn.
"Why?""
"Because I wanted something that belonged to me. Something I didn't have to share with your memories of Angela.""
Maya quietly stepped backward.
I reached for her hand.
Denise continued.
"I thought if Maya gave of Angela.""
Maya quietly stepped backward.
I reached for her hand.
Denise continued.
"I thought if Maya gave up her rights, the house could be sold. I could use the money to buy something for myself and the children.""
I stared at my wife.
"And you thought stealing up her rights, the house could be sold. I could use the money to buy something for myself and the children.""
I stared at my wife.
"And you thought stealing her inheritance was the way to achieve that?""
Denise began sobbing.
"I didn't think it would hurt her her inheritance was the way to achieve that?""
Denise began sobbing.
"I didn't think it would hurt her this much.""
I looked at Maya.
She was crying silently.
That was when I understood the cruelest part.
Denise hadn't been trying to remove Maya because she was too old to this much.""
I looked at Maya.
She was crying silently.
That was when I understood the cruelest part.
Denise hadn't been trying to remove Maya because she was too old to live at home.
She had been trying to remove Maya because Maya was the one person standing between her and the inheritance.
Robert's phone rang.
He answered.
live at home.
She had been trying to remove Maya because Maya was the one person standing between her and the inheritance.
Robert's phone rang.
He answered.
After listening for a moment, he turned toward me.
"Marcus, the police have recovered Jordan's phone and some documents from the hotel.""
"AnythingAfter listening for a moment, he turned toward me.
"Marcus, the police have recovered Jordan's phone and some documents from the hotel.""
"Anything important?""
"Yes.""
He placed the phone on the table.
"They found a message exchange between Daniel and Richard.""
I frowned.
"What did important?""
"Yes.""
He placed the phone on the table.
"They found a message exchange between Daniel and Richard.""
I frowned.
"What did it say?""
Robert read the message.
*Richard:* Once the trust is transferred, Denise gets her share. Jordan and Brianna get theirs. Maya gets nothing.
Then came Daniel's reply.
*Daniel:* And Marcus?
it say?""
Robert read the message.
*Richard:* Once the trust is transferred, Denise gets her share. Jordan and Brianna get theirs. Maya gets nothing.
Then came Daniel's reply.
*Daniel:* And Marcus?
Richard's answer was chilling.
*Richard:* He'll sign whatever we put in front of him. He's too busy protecting his daughter to notice the rest.
I staredRichard's answer was chilling.
*Richard:* He'll sign whatever we put in front of him. He's too busy protecting his daughter to notice the rest.
I stared at the screen.
Then I read the final message.
*Richard:* Just make sure the original will never reaches him.
I looked at Robert.
"Original will?""
He nodded slowly.
"Your at the screen.
Then I read the final message.
*Richard:* Just make sure the original will never reaches him.
I looked at Robert.
"Original will?""
He nodded slowly.
"Your mother's original estate document may contain additional instructions.""
I turned toward Denise.
"Where is it?""
She didn't answer.
Then Brianna, who had been listening from the doorway, spoke.
"Mom gave it to Uncle mother's original estate document may contain additional instructions.""
I turned toward Denise.
"Where is it?""
She didn't answer.
Then Brianna, who had been listening from the doorway, spoke.
"Mom gave it to Uncle Richard.""
I felt my blood run cold.
"Why?""
Brianna looked terrified.
"Because he told her the original document could prove Maya wasn't entitled to the money.""
Robert immediately stood Richard.""
I felt my blood run cold.
"Why?""
Brianna looked terrified.
"Because he told her the original document could prove Maya wasn't entitled to the money.""
Robert immediately stood.
"Marcus, we need to find that original will.""
But before he could say anything else, my phone received a message from an unknown number.
It contained a photograph.
My mother was sitting at her kitchen table,.
"Marcus, we need to find that original will.""
But before he could say anything else, my phone received a message from an unknown number.
It contained a photograph.
My mother was sitting at her kitchen table, holding a document.
Beside her stood Richard.
And beneath the photograph was one sentence:
*If you want the truth about your mother's estate, come alone.*
## Chapter holding a document.
Beside her stood Richard.
May you like
And beneath the photograph was one sentence:
*If you want the truth about your mother's estate, come alone.*
