Chapter 4: The Name on the Trust
“Daniel Mercer?””
I stared at the document Olivia had placed in front of me.
My grandmother's estate. My father's legacy. The property I'd spent my childhood believing would eventually belong to our family.
And somehow, Daniel Mercer was listed as a beneficiary.
“That can't be right,” I whispered.
Olivia adjusted her glasses.
“I'm afraid it is. Your grandmother amended the trust eleven months before her death. She assigned you ownership of the main estate and designated Daniel Mercer as the beneficiary of a separate financial interest.””
“What financial interest?””
“Forty percent of the commercial development rights attached to the property.””
Nathan leaned over the document.
“Why would Eleanor give anything to the man who apparently threatened her family?””
Olivia hesitated.
“Because the amendment contains a condition.””
My mother suddenly stood.
“Olivia, please. We don't need to discuss this in front of everyone.””
I turned toward her.
“Everyone? We're talking about my inheritance, Mom!””
Chloe crossed her arms.
“Honestly, Emily, you're acting like Grandma handed you the entire world. Maybe she had reasons for including Daniel.””
I looked at my sister.
“You knew about this?””
She didn't answer.
“Chloe, did you know Daniel was named in Grandma's trust?””
She picked up her handbag.
“I knew there were business arrangements.””
“What business arrangements?””
“Ask Mom.””
Mom covered her face.
Olivia placed another sheet on the vanity.
“The trust agreement says Daniel's interest becomes invalid if he is found to have participated in any fraudulent transfer involving the estate.””
Nathan looked up.
“So if he stole from the estate, he loses everything?””
“Correct.””
I studied the document.
There was something strange about the signature at the bottom. My grandmother had signed it, but the witness section contained a name I recognized.
Margaret Bennett.
My mother.
“Mom, you witnessed this?””
She nodded slowly.
“Your grandmother asked me to.””
“Then why did you let me believe the property belonged to some charitable organization?””
“Because I thought it was safer.””
“For whom?””
She looked toward Chloe.
My sister suddenly became interested in the floor.
Nathan took the document from me.
“Emily, look at the date.””
I leaned closer.
The amendment had been signed eleven months before Grandma died.
But the attached financial schedule carried a much later date.
Three days after her funeral.
“How is that possible?”” I asked.
Olivia's expression tightened.
“That is precisely why Eleanor instructed me to keep the original document secured.””
She opened her folder and removed a sealed plastic sleeve.
Inside was a handwritten note.
I recognized Grandma's handwriting immediately.
If anyone presents a financial schedule dated after my death, do not accept it as authentic without independent verification.
My mother made a small choking sound.
Chloe immediately stepped forward.
“That's ridiculous. Grandma was old. Maybe she made mistakes.””
Olivia looked directly at her.
“Your grandmother was very precise. She also had a private attorney review every amendment.””
“Whatever,” Chloe muttered.
I examined the schedule again.
The document showed that Daniel had been granted a substantial financial interest in the estate.
But something else caught my attention.
The beneficiary's address wasn't Daniel's.
It was Chloe's apartment.
I looked at my sister.
“Why is your address here?””
Chloe's mouth opened.
Then closed.
Nathan took a photograph of the page.
“That's interesting.””
“Give me that!”” Chloe snapped.
She reached for his phone, but he moved it away.
“Why is Daniel using your address?””
“It's just a mailing address!””
“For a financial agreement worth millions?””
Chloe's face reddened.
“Maybe I was helping him with paperwork. Is that illegal now?””
Olivia calmly closed the folder.
“I suggest you let the attorneys determine that.””
My mother suddenly grabbed my arm.
“Emily, please. You need to understand something. Daniel wasn't always a bad person. Your father trusted him.””
I pulled away.
“Then why did Dad die believing someone had stolen from him?””
Mom's lips trembled.
“I didn't know everything.””
“But you knew enough to sign those papers.””
She started crying again.
Before I could ask another question, a loud knock came from the dressing-room door.
Sarah opened it.
A young man in a dark suit stood outside.
“Excuse me. I'm looking for Ms. Bennett.””
“I'm Emily.””
He handed me a small white envelope.
“Someone asked me to deliver this personally.””
“Who?””
He glanced down the hallway.
“A gentleman waiting near the east entrance.””
I opened the envelope.
Inside was a photograph.
My father stood beside Daniel Mercer in front of the estate, both smiling.
On the back, someone had written:
Your grandmother didn't tell you everything. Ask your mother what happened at 11:47 p.m. on the night your father died.
My hands went cold.
“Who gave you this?”” I asked.
The delivery man hesitated.
Then he pointed toward the hallway.
“Your sister knows him.””
I turned.
Chloe was already moving toward the exit.
Nathan caught her before she reached the door.
“Where are you going?””
She looked at him, furious.
“I'm getting some air.””
I held up the photograph.
“Chloe. Who gave this to him?””
She stared at the picture.
For the first time that morning, she looked genuinely terrified.
May you like
Then she whispered:
“Daniel wasn't supposed to come here.””
