Chapter 10: My Grandfather's Betray## Chapter 10: My Grandfather's Betrayal
I stared at my grandfather's signature until the letters blurred.
Arthur Bennett had taught me howal
I stared at my grandfather's signature until the letters blurred.
Arthur Bennett had taught me how to recognize a forged check before I learned to recognize a forged check before I learned long division. He had shown me how to read a long division. He had shown me how to read a contract, how to question a banker, and how to walk away from a deal that smelled wrong.
He had also made me promise that no contract, how to question a banker, and how to walk away from a deal that smelled wrong.
He had also made me promise that no man would ever use my inheritance to control me.
Yet there was his signature, beneath an man would ever use my inheritance to control me.
Yet there was his signature, beneath an agreement designed to conceal the truth about my embryo.
"That isn't possible," I whispered.
Robert pulled the document closer.
"We need to establish whether this is an original signature or a agreement designed to conceal the truth about my embryo.
"That isn't possible," I whispered.
Robert pulled the document closer.
"We need to establish whether this is an original signature or a reproduction.""
"That's his handwriting. I know it.""
"Handwriting alone doesn't establish reproduction.""
"That's his handwriting. I know it.""
"Handwriting alone doesn't establish that he understood or approved the entire document.""
I shook my head.
"You're trying to make that he understood or approved the entire document.""
I shook my head.
"You're trying to make me feel better.""
"I'm trying to make sure we don't reach a conclusion before we have the evidence.""
Evelyn Shaw joined us by video me feel better.""
"I'm trying to make sure we don't reach a conclusion before we have the evidence.""
Evelyn Shaw joined us by video call.
"The document was recovered from a financial archive connected to Northbridge Advisory," she explained.
"The call.
"The document was recovered from a financial archive connected to Northbridge Advisory," she explained.
"The electronic copy has been authenticated as originating from a file created seven years ago. We're electronic copy has been authenticated as originating from a file created seven years ago. We're still investigating who uploaded it and whether the signatures were applied to the same version.""
I still investigating who uploaded it and whether the signatures were applied to the same version.""
I looked at the date.
Three days before my grandfather died.
He had been in the hospital then, recovering from complications following surgery. I looked at the date.
Three days before my grandfather died.
He had been in the hospital then, recovering from complications following surgery. I remembered sitting beside his bed, reading him newspaper articles while he complained that the hospital coffee tasted like boiled cardboard.
He remembered sitting beside his bed, reading him newspaper articles while he complained that the hospital coffee tasted like boiled cardboard.
He had squeezed my hand before I left.
"Don't let anyone make you feel small, Charlotte," he had said.
I had thought had squeezed my hand before I left.
"Don't let anyone make you feel small, Charlotte," he had said.
I had thought he was talking about marriage.
Now I wondered whether he had been trying to apologize.
"Can you find the original?"" I asked Evelyn he was talking about marriage.
Now I wondered whether he had been trying to apologize.
"Can you find the original?"" I asked Evelyn.
"We're searching for it. But I have another lead. The agreement refers to a meeting between Arthur Bennett, Charles Whitmore, and a third party called.
"We're searching for it. But I have another lead. The agreement refers to a meeting between Arthur Bennett, Charles Whitmore, and a third party called Meridian Custodial Services.""
Robert frowned.
"That company doesn't appear in the current corporate registry.""
"It Meridian Custodial Services.""
Robert frowned.
"That company doesn't appear in the current corporate registry.""
"It was dissolved nine years ago. However, we found an archived address in Connecticut.""
I was dissolved nine years ago. However, we found an archived address in Connecticut.""
I recognized the town immediately.
My grandfather's estate was there.
"Send me the address.""
Evelyn did.
I recognized the town immediately.
My grandfather's estate was there.
"Send me the address.""
Evelyn did.
I stood before Robert could object.
"I'm going there.""
"Charlotte, we should coordinate with stood before Robert could object.
"I'm going there.""
"Charlotte, we should coordinate with the investigators.""
"Then coordinate with them. But I'm not spending another night wondering whether my grandfather helped someone steal my future.""
The Bennett the investigators.""
"Then coordinate with them. But I'm not spending another night wondering whether my grandfather helped someone steal my future.""
The Bennett estate had been sold after my grandfather's death, but the old stone carriage house remained on a neighboring estate had been sold after my grandfather's death, but the old stone carriage house remained on a neighboring parcel owned by a family trust.
I hadn't visited it in years.
As a child, I had hidden there during thunderstorms, curled parcel owned by a family trust.
I hadn't visited it in years.
As a child, I had hidden there during thunderstorms, curled beneath a workbench while my grandfather repaired antique clocks. He used to say that broken things could still beneath a workbench while my grandfather repaired antique clocks. He used to say that broken things could still be useful if someone understood how they had been made.
The building smelled of damp wood and machine oil.
A local property be useful if someone understood how they had been made.
The building smelled of damp wood and machine oil.
A local property manager met us at the entrance.
"Mr. Bennett left instructions that certain personal materials were to remain sealed manager met us at the entrance.
"Mr. Bennett left instructions that certain personal materials were to remain sealed until the estate's trustees authorized their release," he explained.
"Did he until the estate's trustees authorized their release," he explained.
"Did he leave a key?""
The manager produced a small brass key from an envelope.
"Your grandfather told me that if you ever leave a key?""
The manager produced a small brass key from an envelope.
"Your grandfather told me that if you ever came asking about Meridian Custodial Services, I should give you this.""
My throat tightened.
He had anticipated this day came asking about Meridian Custodial Services, I should give you this.""
My throat tightened.
He had anticipated this day.
Inside the carriage house, we found a locked cabinet behind a row of old clocks.
The key opened.
Inside the carriage house, we found a locked cabinet behind a row of old clocks.
The key opened it.
There were three boxes inside, each marked with a date.
The first contained correspondence about commercial investments. The second it.
There were three boxes inside, each marked with a date.
The first contained correspondence about commercial investments. The second held old trust statements.
The third contained a sealed envelope with my name written across the front.
I opened it carefully held old trust statements.
The third contained a sealed envelope with my name written across the front.
I opened it carefully.
My dearest Charlotte,
*If you have found this letter, then something I hoped to prevent has happened.
My dearest Charlotte,
If you have found this letter, then something I hoped to prevent has happened.
My hands began to shake.
Seven years ago, Everett approached me with a proposal involving the future ownership of Whitmore Urban Holdings. He.
My hands began to shake.
Seven years ago, Everett approached me with a proposal involving the future ownership of Whitmore Urban Holdings. He claimed that his father's original agreement entitled the Whitmore family to certain rights over the Bennett reserve if claimed that his father's original agreement entitled the Whitmore family to certain rights over the Bennett reserve if a direct heir were born.
I reviewed the documents and discovered that the claim was false.
I stopped reading a direct heir were born.*
I reviewed the documents and discovered that the claim was false.
I stopped reading.
Robert leaned over my shoulder.
"Keep going.""
*Everett was desperate. His company was facing.
Robert leaned over my shoulder.
"Keep going.""
Everett was desperate. His company was facing a severe financial crisis, and several creditors were threatening legal action. He believed the birth of a biological heir would strengthen his claim to the family a severe financial crisis, and several creditors were threatening legal action. He believed the birth of a biological heir would strengthen his claim to the family assets and make it politically difficult for the trustees to oppose him.
I refused to transfer your rights.
The assets and make it politically difficult for the trustees to oppose him.*
I refused to transfer your rights.
The next paragraph had been crossed out, then rewritten.
*I also learned that an embryo created during your fertility treatment had been retained rather than destroyed next paragraph had been crossed out, then rewritten.
I also learned that an embryo created during your fertility treatment had been retained rather than destroyed. I was told that you had consented to its preservation. I now believe that statement may have been false.
. I was told that you had consented to its preservation. I now believe that statement may have been false.*
A sharp pain spread through my chest.
My grandfather had known.
Perhaps not everything, but enough to understand that something was wrongA sharp pain spread through my chest.
My grandfather had known.
Perhaps not everything, but enough to understand that something was wrong.
*I confronted Everett. He insisted that you had agreed to the arrangement and that the embryo would be used only with your permission. I demanded.
I confronted Everett. He insisted that you had agreed to the arrangement and that the embryo would be used only with your permission. I demanded written proof.
He produced a consent form bearing your signature.
I closed my eyes.
I could not establish written proof.
He produced a consent form bearing your signature.
I closed my eyes.
*I could not establish its authenticity before my health deteriorated. I instructed my attorneys to freeze any transfer of the Bennett reserve and preserve every its authenticity before my health deteriorated. I instructed my attorneys to freeze any transfer of the Bennett reserve and preserve every related document.
If Everett has circumvented those instructions, you must investigate the related document. If Everett has circumvented those instructions, you must investigate the matter without assuming that every person involved understood the full scheme.*
I reached the final page.
There is one thing I need you to know. matter without assuming that every person involved understood the full scheme.
I reached the final page.
There is one thing I need you to know. I did not sign the agreement to give Everett control of your inheritance. I signed it to prevent him from taking I did not sign the agreement to give Everett control of your inheritance. I signed it to prevent him from taking control while we investigated the original arrangement.
I am sorry I did not tell you sooner.
Love control while we investigated the original arrangement.
I am sorry I did not tell you sooner.
Love always,
Grandfather.
For several seconds, the room was completely silent.
Then Robert examined the document.
"This letter supports your always,*
Grandfather.
For several seconds, the room was completely silent.
Then Robert examined the document.
"This letter supports your grandfather's account, but we still need the original agreement and corroborating records.""
I nodded.
Tears slid grandfather's account, but we still need the original agreement and corroborating records.""
I nodded.
Tears slid down my cheeks.
My grandfather hadn't betrayed me in the way I had feared.
But he had kept a secret that allowed down my cheeks.
My grandfather hadn't betrayed me in the way I had feared.
But he had kept a secret that allowed Everett to keep hurting me.
I wiped my face and opened the second box.
Inside was a small digital recorder and a notebook Everett to keep hurting me.
I wiped my face and opened the second box.
Inside was a small digital recorder and a notebook containing several telephone numbers.
One number was marked *Meridian — Original Custodian*.
Robert called it.
The line containing several telephone numbers.
One number was marked *Meridian — Original Custodian*.
Robert called it.
The line was disconnected.
Then he noticed a second note, written in my grandfather's hand.
**If Meridian cannot be reached, contact was disconnected.
Then he noticed a second note, written in my grandfather's hand.
*If Meridian cannot be reached, contact Helen Brooks. She witnessed the final meeting.*
A name.
A lead.
A witness who Helen Brooks. She witnessed the final meeting.**
A name.
A lead.
A witness who might still be alive.
I looked at Robert.
"Find her.""
His phone rang before he could answer.
He listened, his expression growing might still be alive.
I looked at Robert.
"Find her.""
His phone rang before he could answer.
He listened, his expression growing tense.
"What do you mean the board has convened without us?""
He tense.
"What do you mean the board has convened without us?""
He glanced at me.
"Who requested the meeting?""
A pause.
Then his face went pale.
"Everett Whitmore.""
He glanced at me.
"Who requested the meeting?""
A pause.
Then his face went pale.
"Everett Whitmore.""
He ended the call.
"Charlotte, Everett is attempting to remove you as the trust's authorized representative.""
I stood.
ended the call.
"Charlotte, Everett is attempting to remove you as the trust's authorized representative.""
I stood.
"On what grounds?""
Robert looked at the document in my hand.
"He's claiming your grandfather's original agreement proves"On what grounds?""
Robert looked at the document in my hand.
"He's claiming your grandfather's original agreement proves that you were never the rightful beneficiary.""
My grief hardened into something sharper.
Everett had humiliated me publicly that you were never the rightful beneficiary.""
My grief hardened into something sharper.
Everett had humiliated me publicly, concealed financial transfers, and apparently lied about the embryo that had once represented our last, concealed financial transfers, and apparently lied about the embryo that had once represented our last hope of becoming parents.
Now he was trying to use my grandfather's signature against me.
I slipped the letter into its protective envelope hope of becoming parents.
Now he was trying to use my grandfather's signature against me.
I slipped the letter into its protective envelope.
"Then let's go hear his argument.""
Robert hesitated.
"There's something.
"Then let's go hear his argument.""
Robert hesitated.
"There's something else. The board received a statement from Everett claiming that you knew about the embryo transfer and approved it.""
I stared at him.
"He has a signed consent form.""
"Yes.""
"And else. The board received a statement from Everett claiming that you knew about the embryo transfer and approved it.""
I stared at him.
"He has a signed consent form.""
"Yes.""
"And he's claiming I approved it?""
"Yes.""
I took a slow breath.
"Then tomorrow, I'll prove that signature is a he's claiming I approved it?""
"Yes.""
I took a slow breath.
"Then tomorrow, I'll prove that signature is a lie.""
But before we reached the door, the property manager called after us.
"Mrs. Whitmore? lie.""
But before we reached the door, the property manager called after us.
"Mrs. Whitmore? Your grandfather left one final instruction.""
He handed me a narrow envelope hidden beneath the recorder.
Inside was a photograph of Everett standing beside Your grandfather left one final instruction.""
He handed me a narrow envelope hidden beneath the recorder.
Inside was a photograph of Everett standing beside Richard Cole outside a medical laboratory.
The date on the back was seven years old.
And beside Everett, Richard Cole outside a medical laboratory.
The date on the back was seven years old.
And beside Everett, holding a document folder, stood a woman I had never seen before.
Underneath the photograph, my grandfather had written five words.
*Find out who she is.*
holding a document folder, stood a woman I had never seen before.
May you like
Underneath the photograph, my grandfather had written five words.
*Find out who she is.*
