Chapter 13: My Father's Final Warning
I read the first sentence again.
*If Patricia ever approaches my daughter about money, make sure Vanessa knows what happened before I died.*
My father's handwriting was unmistakable.
The way he crossed his capital letters. The slight upward angle of his sentences. Even the little mark he made beneath his signature.
I had seen that handwriting on birthday cards, Christmas envelopes, and notes he'd left beside my breakfast plate.
But I'd never seen this letter.
"Robert, when was this written?""
He examined the attached record.
"According to the financial adviser's files, approximately eleven years ago.""
"Why wasn't it included in the estate documents?""
"It appears your father requested that it remain confidential unless Patricia attempted to contact you about financial matters.""
I sat down.
"Then what happened?""
Robert opened the next page.
It contained a detailed account of the earlier investigation.
Eleven years ago, Patricia had approached my father with a proposal to manage part of his investment portfolio. She claimed she had connections with private investors who could significantly increase his returns.
My father initially considered the proposal.
But when his financial adviser examined the paperwork, several irregularities appeared.
The account numbers didn't match.
The listed investment company had no verifiable registration.
And Patricia had attempted to obtain authorization to move funds without my father's approval.
My father had confronted her.
Instead of apologizing, she had threatened to accuse him of making an informal financial promise.
The matter ended when my father refused to pursue legal action.
He wanted to protect the family.
Apparently, that decision had only encouraged her.
I looked toward Marcus.
"Did you know about this?""
He shook his head.
"Patricia never mentioned it.""
Robert turned another page.
"There's more.""
The letter continued.
My father explained that Patricia had later contacted him privately, asking for money to cover personal debts.
He refused.
After that, she stopped visiting.
Until Marcus and I married.
I felt sick.
"She came back because she wanted access to my inheritance.""
Robert nodded.
"That is one possibility. We still need to verify the current documents and the communications.""
I stared at my father's letter.
At the bottom, he'd written another paragraph.
I know Vanessa will always try to see the good in people. That is one of the things I love most about her. But kindness should never require her to surrender what she has worked for.
My eyes filled with tears.
I remembered the last time I'd visited him in the hospital.
He'd held my hand and told me to be careful about people who confused generosity with entitlement.
I'd thought he was talking about business.
Now I understood.
Brianna approached the table.
"Vanessa?""
I wiped my eyes.
"What?""
She looked at the letter.
"Did your father know Patricia was going to do this?""
"I don't know.""
Brianna lowered her head.
"She told us your father had promised her money.""
I looked at her.
"She told you that?""
"Yes. She said he had made a private agreement, and you were keeping it from the family.""
"Did you ever see the original?""
"No.""
"Did you ask why the agreement wasn't in the official estate records?""
Brianna shook her head.
I exhaled.
"That's how people get away with lies. Nobody asks for proof.""
Marcus finally stood.
"Vanessa, I swear I didn't know about the old investigation.""
I looked at him.
"But you knew Patricia was trying to take my property.""
He lowered his eyes.
"I thought she had a legitimate agreement.""
"You never asked me?""
"I was desperate.""
I shook my head.
"You keep using that word as if desperation makes betrayal acceptable.""
He looked toward the staircase.
"I know I made mistakes.""
"These weren't mistakes, Marcus. You made decisions. You chose to hide documents.
You chose to use my identity. You chose to let your daughter believe she could take my home.""
His eyes filled.
"I loved you.""
I looked at him for a long moment.
"Then you should have protected me when Brianna threw me out.""
He had no answer.
Robert's phone rang.
He stepped away to take the call.
When he returned, he looked directly at me.
"Vanessa, the financial adviser has found another record. Your father left specific instructions concerning the investment account Patricia is claiming.""
"What instructions?""
"Any attempt to transfer or access the account without your written authorization was to be reported immediately.""
I frowned.
"But the account was already distributed.""
"Yes. And the adviser confirms that no separate beneficiary agreement was ever executed.""
Robert paused.
"However, Patricia appears to have obtained an old draft document. It was never signed.""
I leaned forward.
"So the trust letter she sent Daniel was based on an unsigned draft?""
"That is what the records suggest.""
A wave of anger passed through me.
She had taken an old document, added false information, and used it to convince Marcus that millions of dollars were waiting for them.
Robert continued.
"The adviser has agreed to provide a sworn statement and copies of the original records.""
I nodded.
"Good.""
Then my phone rang.
An unfamiliar number.
I answered cautiously.
"Hello?""
A woman's voice responded.
"Mrs. Williams? My name is Lauren Mitchell. I'm Daniel Carter's business associate.""
I looked at Robert.
"Why are you calling me?""
"Because I think you deserve to know what Daniel and Patricia have actually been planning.""
My stomach tightened.
"Go on.""
"Daniel isn't purchasing your house for himself. He has already arranged a resale agreement with an investment group.""
"Without my authorization?""
"Yes. And there's something worse.""
I gripped the phone.
"What?""
Lauren lowered her voice.
"The investment group believes your house is already under contract. They have scheduled a private inspection for tomorrow morning.""
I stared at Robert.
"How did they get access?""
Lauren hesitated.
"Patricia gave them a key.""
I felt my blood run cold.
"Where did she get a key to my house?""
Lauren answered quietly.
"Marcus made her a copy six months ago.""
Then she added something that made my entire body go rigid.
"Mrs. Williams, the inspection isn't the real reason they're coming tomorrow.""
May you like
"What is?""
"They're planning to remove something from your house before the authorities discover it.""
