Chapter 5: The Mansion Was Never Theirs
The following morning, I woke up in Alexander's arms.
For a few seconds, I forgot about the funeral, the letter, and the forty million dollars.
Then my phone rang.
It was Aunt Margaret.
"Emily, have you seen the news?""
I sat upright.
"What news?""
"Your sister.""
I opened my laptop.
The first headline appeared before I finished typing Vanessa's name.
*LOCAL BUSINESSWOMAN CELEBRATES LUXURY MANSION AMID PROPERTY OWNERSHIP DISPUTE.*
There was a photograph of Vanessa standing in front of the mansion, holding a glass of champagne.
The caption described her as the wife of a rising corporate executive.
I scrolled.
A second article had appeared.
*Questions Raised Over Buckhead Property Financing.*
My heart began pounding.
Alexander entered the bedroom carrying two cups of coffee.
"What's happened?""
I showed him the screen.
He read the headline without changing expression.
"Our legal team anticipated this.""
"She posted photographs of the house yesterday. She was laughing about it at Mom's funeral.""
"I know.""
"How can she live there if the property is disputed?""
Alexander placed the coffee on my bedside table.
"The mansion itself isn't your mother's property. However, the loan used to purchase it appears to have been secured through an unauthorized claim against one of her commercial buildings.""
"So the house could be repossessed?""
"Potentially, depending on the lender's review and the court proceedings.""
I looked at the photograph again.
Vanessa was wearing the same diamond necklace she had shown off at the funeral.
I wondered how much of her luxurious life had been built on money that didn't belong to her.
My phone buzzed.
A message from Vanessa.
You need to call me immediately.
I ignored it.
Another message arrived.
Your husband is destroying our family.
Then a third.
Mom would be ashamed of you.
I handed the phone to Alexander.
He read the messages.
"Do you want to respond?""
"No.""
"Good.""
He kissed my forehead.
"Then let's focus on what your mother wanted you to have.""
At eleven, we arrived at the offices of Carter Global Holdings.
I had never been inside a building like it.
The lobby was lined with pale marble, glass walls, and enormous arrangements of white flowers. Employees greeted Alexander as we walked through the reception area.
Some glanced at me.
Others immediately lowered their eyes.
I wasn't used to being treated like someone important.
A woman in a navy suit approached.
"Mr. Carter, your legal team is ready.""
"Thank you, Rebecca. This is my wife, Emily.""
The woman smiled warmly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you.""
We entered a conference room.
Three attorneys were seated around a long table. A large monitor displayed several property documents.
The senior attorney, Jonathan Reed, stood.
"Mrs. Carter, I'm sorry for your loss.""
"Thank you.""
He opened a file.
"Your mother appointed an independent estate administrator before her death. We have been working with that office to verify the assets and identify unauthorized transactions.""
He displayed a photograph of a commercial building.
"Your mother's most valuable asset is the Bennett Commercial Portfolio. It includes six properties across Georgia, with long-term tenants and development rights.""
I studied the photographs.
"She owned all of these?""
"Yes. And there is something important you should understand. Your mother's estate isn't simply a collection of properties. It includes controlling interests in several companies.""
Jonathan displayed another document.
"The trust was designed to preserve those interests for you.""
I looked at Alexander.
"Why me?""
"Because your mother believed you would protect them rather than use them to impress people," he said.
Jonathan continued.
"However, there is an issue. Your sister's name appears in several supporting documents submitted during the attempted property transfer.""
"Does that mean she helped Daniel?""
"We cannot establish that conclusively yet.""
He opened another document.
"There's also a payment trail.""
Several transactions appeared on the screen.
I leaned forward.
"Those amounts...""
"Approximately $2.8 million was moved through three business accounts over fourteen months.""
My mouth went dry.
"Where did it go?""
"Some of it was used for the down payment on the Buckhead property. Some went toward business expenses. We're still tracing the remainder.""
I stared at the screen.
"Two point eight million?""
Jonathan nodded.
"Your mother's company never authorized those transfers.""
Alexander rested his hand on my shoulder.
I felt sick.
Not because I wanted the money.
Because someone had taken advantage of my mother's trust while she was fighting for her life.
Then Rebecca entered with a tablet.
"Mr. Carter, we have a problem.""
Alexander looked up.
"What is it?""
"Daniel Mitchell has requested an emergency meeting with the board.""
Jonathan frowned.
"On what grounds?""
Rebecca hesitated.
"He claims he has evidence that the estate transfer is invalid.""
I looked at Alexander.
"What does he mean?""
Alexander's expression became unreadable.
"Daniel works for one of our subsidiaries. His division handles regional property acquisitions.""
I slowly turned toward him.
"You mean he works for you?""
"Technically, yes.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I wanted to establish the facts before involving you in his employment situation.""
Jonathan closed the file.
"There's another issue. Daniel's promotion gave him access to several internal financial systems.""
Alexander's jaw tightened.
"How much access?""
"Enough to authorize transactions within certain limits.""
The room went silent.
I remembered Daniel's confident smile at the funeral.
His expensive suit.
His comments about the company's billions.
Suddenly, his promotion seemed less like an achievement and more like an opportunity.
Rebecca placed the tablet in front of Alexander.
"There's one more thing.""
He read the message.
Then he looked at me.
"Daniel has requested permission to speak directly with you.""
I laughed in disbelief.
"Why would he want that?""
Alexander turned the tablet around.
The message was short.
I know what Emily's mother promised Vanessa. If Emily wants the truth about her inheritance, she needs to meet me alone.
I stared at the screen.
"What truth?""
Jonathan exchanged a glance with Alexander.
"Mrs. Carter, there's a possibility that the current will isn't the only document your mother signed.""
I felt my pulse quicken.
"There's another will?""
"We don't know yet.""
Alexander reached for my hand.
"Don't agree to meet him alone.""
I nodded.
But before we could discuss anything else, my phone rang.
Vanessa.
I answered.
"What do you want?""
Her voice was trembling.
"Emily, please. You have to help me.""
"What happened?""
She began crying.
"Daniel says you're going to take our house. He says you and Alexander are going to ruin us.""
I closed my eyes.
"Vanessa, did you know about the transfers?""
Silence.
Then she whispered:
"I didn't know everything.""
"That's not an answer.""
"Please, Emily. I can explain.""
"Then explain.""
She took a shaky breath.
"Daniel told me Mom had already agreed to give us the money. He said he just needed her signature.""
"Did you see her sign?""
Another pause.
May you like
Then Vanessa said something that made my blood run cold.
"Emily, I have the original document. And there's something written on the back that Daniel doesn't know about.""
