Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Woman Behind My Wife: The Woman Behind My Wife's Secret
"Tomorrow?""
I repeated the word's Secret
"Tomorrow?""
I repeated the word because I wanted to make sure I had heard Claire because I wanted to make sure I had heard Claire correctly.
"Yes, Mr. Bennett. Denise told me she intended to present the letter to the trust administrator tomorrow morning.""
Robert immediately correctly.
"Yes, Mr. Bennett. Denise told me she intended to present the letter to the trust administrator tomorrow morning.""
Robert immediately stood and reached for his briefcase.
"What time?"" he asked.
Claire hesitated.
"Nine o'clock.""
"And where?""
" stood and reached for his briefcase.
"What time?"" he asked.
Claire hesitated.
"Nine o'clock.""
"And where?""
"At the Whitmore Legal and Property Group office downtown.""
Robert exchanged a look with me.
"Claire,At the Whitmore Legal and Property Group office downtown.""
Robert exchanged a look with me.
"Claire, do you have the original document?""
"No. Denise brought me a scanned copy and promised to deliver the do you have the original document?""
"No. Denise brought me a scanned copy and promised to deliver the original tomorrow.""
"Has the trust administrator reviewed it?""
Another pause.
"Not yet.""
Robert leaned forward.
"Then nobody original tomorrow.""
"Has the trust administrator reviewed it?""
Another pause.
"Not yet.""
Robert leaned forward.
"Then nobody should treat that document as valid until its authenticity has been established.""
I took the phone from him.
should treat that document as valid until its authenticity has been established.""
I took the phone from him.
"Claire, I need you to answer something honestly. Did you know my wife was trying to sell my mother's property without my permission?""
"I"Claire, I need you to answer something honestly. Did you know my wife was trying to sell my mother's property without my permission?""
"I suspected something wasn't right.""
"That's not an answer.""
She sighed.
"Denise told me you had agreed to sell the property. She also suspected something wasn't right.""
"That's not an answer.""
She sighed.
"Denise told me you had agreed to sell the property. She also said Maya had voluntarily given up her interest in the family trust.""
"My daughter never signed anything.""
"I understand that now.""
I looked said Maya had voluntarily given up her interest in the family trust.""
"My daughter never signed anything.""
"I understand that now.""
I looked at Maya.
She was sitting beside the piano, holding her grandmother's letter against her chest.
"How long have you known at Maya.
She was sitting beside the piano, holding her grandmother's letter against her chest.
"How long have you known Denise?""
Claire was silent for several seconds.
"Longer than you think.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What does that mean?""
"I'll Denise?""
Claire was silent for several seconds.
"Longer than you think.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What does that mean?""
"I'll explain tomorrow. But I need you to understand something, Mr. Bennett. Denise isn't the only person who knows about the trust.""
I frowned explain tomorrow. But I need you to understand something, Mr. Bennett. Denise isn't the only person who knows about the trust.""
I frowned.
"Who else?""
"Her mother.""
The room went silent.
I looked at.
"Who else?""
"Her mother.""
The room went silent.
I looked at Robert.
He motioned for me to continue.
"Why would Denise's mother know anything about my mother's trust?""
Claire lowered her voice.
"Because Eleanor Robert.
He motioned for me to continue.
"Why would Denise's mother know anything about my mother's trust?""
Claire lowered her voice.
"Because Eleanor Whitmore was my aunt.""
I stared at the photograph on the table.
The woman beside my mother was Eleanor.
The same woman whose surname Claire carried.
"Your aunt?""
"Yes Whitmore was my aunt.""
I stared at the photograph on the table.
The woman beside my mother was Eleanor.
The same woman whose surname Claire carried.
"Your aunt?""
"Yes. She was a close friend of your mother. They established the trust together.""
I swallowed.
"Then why has Denise been dealing with you?""
". She was a close friend of your mother. They established the trust together.""
I swallowed.
"Then why has Denise been dealing with you?""
"Because my aunt died last year, and I inherited responsibility for certain administrative matters. Denise contacted me several months ago, claiming she was trying toBecause my aunt died last year, and I inherited responsibility for certain administrative matters. Denise contacted me several months ago, claiming she was trying to protect the family property.""
Robert interrupted.
"Claire, did you tell her she could remove Maya as a beneficiary?""
"No.""
"Did you prepare the purported protect the family property.""
Robert interrupted.
"Claire, did you tell her she could remove Maya as a beneficiary?""
"No.""
"Did you prepare the purported surrender letter?""
"No.""
"Did you authorize anyone to sign on Maya's behalf?""
"Absolutely not.""
I felt a small measure surrender letter?""
"No.""
"Did you authorize anyone to sign on Maya's behalf?""
"Absolutely not.""
I felt a small measure of relief.
Then Claire added something that made it disappear.
"But Denise did bring another person to our office. A man who claimed to of relief.
Then Claire added something that made it disappear.
"But Denise did bring another person to our office. A man who claimed to be Maya's legal representative.""
I frowned.
"My daughter doesn't have a legal representative.""
"I know that now.""
" be Maya's legal representative.""
I frowned.
"My daughter doesn't have a legal representative.""
"I know that now.""
"Who was he?""
"I have his business card. His name is Daniel Price.""
Robert immediately wrote theWho was he?""
"I have his business card. His name is Daniel Price.""
Robert immediately wrote the name down.
"Do you know why he was there?""
"Denise said he was helping arrange Maya's departure and the transfer of her beneficiary rights name down.
"Do you know why he was there?""
"Denise said he was helping arrange Maya's departure and the transfer of her beneficiary rights.""
I looked at Maya.
She shook her head.
"I've never met him.""
Claire continued.
"There's something else. Before your.""
I looked at Maya.
She shook her head.
"I've never met him.""
Claire continued.
"There's something else. Before your wife approached me, she asked for copies of the trust documents. She claimed you had misplaced them.""
"Did you give them to her wife approached me, she asked for copies of the trust documents. She claimed you had misplaced them.""
"Did you give them to her?""
"I gave her copies of the public administrative summary. Nothing that authorized a transfer.""
Robert nodded.
"That's?""
"I gave her copies of the public administrative summary. Nothing that authorized a transfer.""
Robert nodded.
"That's important. Please preserve every email, message, and document involving Denise. We will need them.""
"I important. Please preserve every email, message, and document involving Denise. We will need them.""
"I will.""
Before ending the call, Claire said one more thing.
"Mr. Bennett, I don't think you understand why will.""
Before ending the call, Claire said one more thing.
"Mr. Bennett, I don't think you understand why Denise is so desperate to get Maya out of the picture.""
I tightened my grip on the phone.
"Then tell me.""
"Your mother placed a restriction on the sale proceeds. If the house is sold, a substantial portion must remain Denise is so desperate to get Maya out of the picture.""
I tightened my grip on the phone.
"Then tell me.""
"Your mother placed a restriction on the sale proceeds. If the house is sold, a substantial portion must remain in the family trust for Maya's benefit.""
I looked at the document.
"How much?""
"Seventy percent.""
I closed in the family trust for Maya's benefit.""
I looked at the document.
"How much?""
"Seventy percent.""
I closed my eyes.
Seventy percent.
That explained everything.
Denise hadn't simply wanted to sell the house.
She wanted to remove Maya's beneficiary rights before the my eyes.
Seventy percent.
That explained everything.
Denise hadn't simply wanted to sell the house.
She wanted to remove Maya's beneficiary rights before the sale so that the money could be distributed differently.
"Thank you, Claire," I said.
Then I ended the call.
Robert paced across sale so that the money could be distributed differently.
"Thank you, Claire," I said.
Then I ended the call.
Robert paced across the living room.
"Marcus, we need to move quickly.""
"What do you recommend?""
"First, we notify the trust the living room.
"Marcus, we need to move quickly.""
"What do you recommend?""
"First, we notify the trust administrator and challenge the purported surrender letter. Second, we preserve the original documents. Third, we protect your property from any unauthorized transaction.""
I nodded.
"Do administrator and challenge the purported surrender letter. Second, we preserve the original documents. Third, we protect your property from any unauthorized transaction.""
I nodded.
"Do whatever is necessary.""
Robert looked at Maya.
"Has anyone asked you to sign anything recently?""
Maya shook whatever is necessary.""
Robert looked at Maya.
"Has anyone asked you to sign anything recently?""
Maya shook her head.
"Not recently.""
"Think carefully.""
She frowned.
Then her expression changed.
"Actually, yes.""
I turned toward her.
"What?""
"Denise asked her head.
"Not recently.""
"Think carefully.""
She frowned.
Then her expression changed.
"Actually, yes.""
I turned toward her.
"What?""
"Denise asked me to sign something about the household expenses last month.""
"What kind of document?""
"She said it was a form me to sign something about the household expenses last month.""
"What kind of document?""
"She said it was a form confirming that I no longer needed financial support from the family.""
Robert immediately leaned forward.
"Did you sign it confirming that I no longer needed financial support from the family.""
Robert immediately leaned forward.
"Did you sign it?""
"No.""
"Why not?""
Maya looked embarrassed.
"Because I didn't understand why I needed to?""
"No.""
"Why not?""
Maya looked embarrassed.
"Because I didn't understand why I needed to sign it. She got angry and told me I was making a simple thing difficult.""
Robert nodded.
"Good. sign it. She got angry and told me I was making a simple thing difficult.""
Robert nodded.
"Good. Did she keep the document?""
"I don't know.""
I felt sick.
My daughter had been surrounded by paperwork designed to make her disappear from Did she keep the document?""
"I don't know.""
I felt sick.
My daughter had been surrounded by paperwork designed to make her disappear from the family finances.
And I hadn't noticed any of it.
When we returned home that evening, Denise was waiting in the living room the family finances.
And I hadn't noticed any of it.
When we returned home that evening, Denise was waiting in the living room.
She stood as soon as we entered.
"Where have you been?""
"At my mother's house.""
Her eyes moved to the briefcase in Robert's.
She stood as soon as we entered.
"Where have you been?""
"At my mother's house.""
Her eyes moved to the briefcase in Robert's hand.
"Why is your lawyer here?""
Robert calmly introduced himself.
"Mrs. Bennett, I represent Marcus in matters concerning his mother's estate and the family trust.""
Denise's face hand.
"Why is your lawyer here?""
Robert calmly introduced himself.
"Mrs. Bennett, I represent Marcus in matters concerning his mother's estate and the family trust.""
Denise's face tightened.
"There's no need for lawyers.""
"Unfortunately, there is.""
She looked at me.
" tightened.
"There's no need for lawyers.""
"Unfortunately, there is.""
She looked at me.
"Marcus, can we talk privately?""
"No.""
She stared.
"I am still your wife.""
"And Maya is still my daughter.""
Denise threw her hands up.
"WhyMarcus, can we talk privately?""
"No.""
She stared.
"I am still your wife.""
"And Maya is still my daughter.""
Denise threw her hands up.
"Why does everything have to come back to Maya?""
Robert closed his briefcase.
"Mrs. Bennett, I suggest you stop discussing the property and any related documents until the does everything have to come back to Maya?""
Robert closed his briefcase.
"Mrs. Bennett, I suggest you stop discussing the property and any related documents until the relevant records have been reviewed.""
Denise laughed.
"You're threatening me?""
"I'm advising you.""
She turned toward me relevant records have been reviewed.""
Denise laughed.
"You're threatening me?""
"I'm advising you.""
She turned toward me.
"You're letting a stranger tell me what I can do in my own home?""
I looked at her.
"Nobody is stopping.
"You're letting a stranger tell me what I can do in my own home?""
I looked at her.
"Nobody is stopping you from living here. We're stopping you from interfering with property you don't own.""
Her face went red.
"That house was you from living here. We're stopping you from interfering with property you don't own.""
Her face went red.
"That house was supposed to benefit all of us!""
I shook my head.
"Then why did you try to remove Maya?""
supposed to benefit all of us!""
I shook my head.
"Then why did you try to remove Maya?""
She opened her mouth.
But before she could answer, the front door opened.
Brianna walked in.
She was carrying a largeShe opened her mouth.
But before she could answer, the front door opened.
Brianna walked in.
She was carrying a large handbag and wearing a beige coat.
"Mom, why are you calling handbag and wearing a beige coat.
"Mom, why are you calling me nonstop?""
Then she noticed Robert.
Her expression changed.
"What's happening?""
Denise immediately walked toward her.
"Nothing. Go me nonstop?""
Then she noticed Robert.
Her expression changed.
"What's happening?""
Denise immediately walked toward her.
"Nothing. Go upstairs.""
Brianna frowned.
"Mom, you said the meeting was tomorrow.""
I felt my heart stop.
I turned toward her.
upstairs.""
Brianna frowned.
"Mom, you said the meeting was tomorrow.""
I felt my heart stop.
I turned toward her.
"What meeting?""
Brianna looked at Denise.
Then at me.
Her face slowly lost color.
"Nothing, Marcus.""
I stepped"What meeting?""
Brianna looked at Denise.
Then at me.
Her face slowly lost color.
"Nothing, Marcus.""
I stepped forward.
"Why did your mother tell you about a meeting tomorrow?""
She swallowed.
"I thought she had forward.
"Why did your mother tell you about a meeting tomorrow?""
She swallowed.
"I thought she had already explained.""
"Explained what?""
Denise grabbed her arm.
"Go upstairs, Brianna.""
But Brianna pulled away.
"No already explained.""
"Explained what?""
Denise grabbed her arm.
"Go upstairs, Brianna.""
But Brianna pulled away.
"No, Mom. I'm tired of this.""
The room went silent.
She looked at me.
"There's supposed to be a meeting, Mom. I'm tired of this.""
The room went silent.
She looked at me.
"There's supposed to be a meeting tomorrow morning about Maya's inheritance.""
I stared at her.
"Who arranged it?""
"Mom and Claire tomorrow morning about Maya's inheritance.""
I stared at her.
"Who arranged it?""
"Mom and Claire.""
"Who else?""
Brianna hesitated.
Then she said:
"Jordan was supposed to come too.""
I looked toward the stairs.
"Where is Jordan?""
Den.""
"Who else?""
Brianna hesitated.
Then she said:
"Jordan was supposed to come too.""
I looked toward the stairs.
"Where is Jordan?""
Denise answered quickly.
"He's not involved.""
Brianna laughed bitterly.
"Mom, stop lying.""
She reachedise answered quickly.
"He's not involved.""
Brianna laughed bitterly.
"Mom, stop lying.""
She reached into her handbag and pulled out a folded envelope.
"Here.""
She handed it to me.
Inside was a printed email exchange between into her handbag and pulled out a folded envelope.
"Here.""
She handed it to me.
Inside was a printed email exchange between Denise and Jordan.
The first message was dated three weeks earlier.
*Denise:* Once Maya signs the surrender, the trust will release Denise and Jordan.
The first message was dated three weeks earlier.
*Denise:* Once Maya signs the surrender, the trust will release the property for sale.
*Jordan:* What if Dad refuses?
*Denise:* He won't. By then, he'll have no choice.
** the property for sale.
*Jordan:* What if Dad refuses?
*Denise:* He won't. By then, he'll have no choice.
*Jordan:* What does that mean?
*Denise:* I've already arranged everything.
I continued reading.
The next message was from Jordan.
*Jordan: You promised the moneyJordan:* What does that mean?
*Denise:* I've already arranged everything.
I continued reading.
The next message was from Jordan.
*Jordan:* You promised the money would be enough for all of us.
Denise's reply was short.
*Denise:* It will be enough if nobody would be enough for all of us.
Denise's reply was short.
*Denise:* It will be enough if nobody interferes.
I looked up.
"What does she mean by that?""
Brianna wiped her eyes.
"Jordan interferes.
I looked up.
"What does she mean by that?""
Brianna wiped her eyes.
"Jordan knows more than I do.""
I turned toward Denise.
She was standing completely still.
"Where is Jordan?""
She looked away knows more than I do.""
I turned toward Denise.
She was standing completely still.
"Where is Jordan?""
She looked away.
Then Brianna whispered:
"Mom sent him to meet Daniel Price tonight.""
Robert immediately picked up his phone.
"Who is Daniel Price?""
B.
Then Brianna whispered:
"Mom sent him to meet Daniel Price tonight.""
Robert immediately picked up his phone.
"Who is Daniel Price?""
Brianna looked at me.
"The man who was supposed to help make Maya sign the documents.""
My chest tightened.
"rianna looked at me.
"The man who was supposed to help make Maya sign the documents.""
My chest tightened.
"Where is the meeting?""
She hesitated.
Then she handed me another piece of paper.
It was a printed text message.
*Jordan:* I'llWhere is the meeting?""
She hesitated.
Then she handed me another piece of paper.
It was a printed text message.
*Jordan:* I'll bring Maya's original documents. Daniel said he can make the signature issue disappear.
I stared bring Maya's original documents. Daniel said he can make the signature issue disappear.
I stared at the words.
Maya stepped beside me.
"Dad, what original documents?""
I looked at Brianna.
She began crying.
"Mom took Maya's birth certificate and some of her old records from at the words.
Maya stepped beside me.
"Dad, what original documents?""
I looked at Brianna.
She began crying.
"Mom took Maya's birth certificate and some of her old records from the filing cabinet.""
I felt the room spin.
"Why?""
Brianna shook her head.
"Because Daniel said he needed them the filing cabinet.""
I felt the room spin.
"Why?""
Brianna shook her head.
"Because Daniel said he needed them to verify her identity.""
Robert's voice became sharp.
"Marcus, we need to contact the authorities and document this immediately.""
But to verify her identity.""
Robert's voice became sharp.
"Marcus, we need to contact the authorities and document this immediately.""
But I was already looking at another message.
It had arrived on Jordan's phone and been forwarded to Brianna.
** I was already looking at another message.
It had arrived on Jordan's phone and been forwarded to Brianna.
*Daniel Price:* Don't bring the girl. Just bring the documents. We can finish the arrangement without her.
I lookedDaniel Price:** Don't bring the girl. Just bring the documents. We can finish the arrangement without her.
I looked at Denise.
For the first time, she didn't try to defend herself.
She simply whispered:
"Marcus, at Denise.
For the first time, she didn't try to defend herself.
She simply whispered:
"Marcus, you don't understand what will happen if Jordan doesn't finish this tonight.""
I stared at her.
"What have you done?""
She looked toward the front you don't understand what will happen if Jordan doesn't finish this tonight.""
I stared at her.
"What have you done?""
She looked toward the front door.
Then she said something that made me realize the danger was no longer limited to a property dispute.
" door.
Then she said something that made me realize the danger was no longer limited to a property dispute.
"Daniel has already been paid.""
And the money hadn't come from our household account.
It had come from an account connected to MayaDaniel has already been paid.""
May you like
And the money hadn't come from our household account.
It had come from an account connected to Maya.
