Chapter 10: The Estate He Wanted
For a few seconds, nobody moved.
The only sound in the room was the quiet hum of the refrigerator.
Then my father whispered, “Derek.””
His voice was different.
Not confused.
Not afraid.
Betrayed.
Derek looked away.
That told me everything.
“You were never trying to help us.””
Derek laughed softly.
“Don't act like you didn't benefit from the idea.””
My father stepped forward.
“Benefit?””
“Yes.””
“You tried to steal my daughter’s property.””
Derek shrugged.
“Property is property.””
The way he said it made my stomach turn.
No emotion.
No guilt.
Just numbers.
Rebecca closed the laptop.
“Everyone needs to understand what happens next.””
Derek smiled.
“You think your paperwork scares me?””
“No.””
Rebecca looked directly at him.
“But the evidence trail should.””
She opened a folder.
“Forgery. Misrepresentation to a lender. Fraudulent transfer attempts.””
His expression changed.
Only slightly.
But enough.
“You’re threatening me?””
“No. I’m explaining consequences.””
Vanessa suddenly stepped between them.
“Rebecca, this has gone too far.””
I stared at her.
“Too far?””
She looked exhausted.
“I never wanted this.””
I almost laughed.
“You never wanted this?””
She looked at me.
“I wanted to fix a problem.””
“What problem?””
She hesitated.
That hesitation was the answer.
“The money.””
My father closed his eyes.
“Vanessa.””
She looked at him.
“We were struggling.””
I stared.
“Struggling?””
She shook her head.
“You don’t understand.””
“No, explain it.””
Her voice lowered.
“After my mother passed away, I inherited debt from her medical expenses. Then Derek’s company needed temporary support. I thought if the development deal worked, everything would be paid back.””
I looked at Derek.
“And you convinced her my estate would solve everything.””
Derek didn't deny it.
“Your grandfather owned valuable land.””
“It was never yours.””
“No.””
He smiled.
“But valuable things have a way of changing hands.””
My hands tightened.
That sentence explained everything about him.
He didn't see people.
He saw opportunities.
My mother.
My grandfather.
Me.
All just obstacles between him and money.
Daniel stepped forward.
“Derek, the estate records show Charlotte’s ownership was protected years ago. You knew that.””
Derek’s smile disappeared.
“You don't know what I knew.””
“Actually, we do.””
Daniel opened another file.
“Your company requested a title search four months ago.””
Derek froze.
My eyes moved to him.
“You searched my property before you even approached my family.””
Nobody spoke.
Daniel continued.
“You knew exactly what Charlotte inherited.””
Vanessa looked at Derek.
“You told me you discovered the land afterward.””
He didn't answer.
Her face changed.
“You lied to me too.””
Derek sighed.
“Vanessa.””
“No.””
She stepped away from him.
“No, you used me.””
That was the first time I saw Vanessa lose control.
Not because she felt sorry for me.
Because she realized she had been a tool too.
Derek shook his head.
“You were the one who wanted security.””
“And you gave me a plan built on stealing from my stepdaughter?””
“She wasn't using the property.””
My blood ran cold.
I looked at him.
“Say that again.””
Derek looked at me.
“She wasn't using it.””
I stepped closer.
“You thought because I wasn't showing off, because I wasn't living in a mansion every day, because I wasn't announcing what my grandfather left me, that it wasn't mine?””
He didn't respond.
I continued.
“You saw someone quiet and assumed someone powerless.””
For once, Derek had no answer.
Rebecca gathered the documents.
“We're leaving.””
Derek laughed.
“You think walking away ends this?””
“No.””
She looked at him.
“That's why we're filing immediately.””
My father looked at me.
“Charlotte.””
I turned.
He looked broken.
“I’m sorry.””
Two words.
Simple.
Late.
I wanted them to fix everything.
They couldn't.
“I believe you're sorry.””
His eyes lifted.
“But I'm still hurt.””
He nodded.
“I know.””
I walked toward the door.
Madison followed.
Outside, she stopped beside my car.
“Charlotte.””
I looked at her.
“I know you probably hate me.””
“I don't.””
She looked surprised.
“I should.””
“Yes.””
She nodded.
“But I don’t.””
A tear rolled down her cheek.
“My mom always said people like you get lucky.””
I frowned.
“What?””
“She said you didn't deserve what you had because you didn't struggle for it.””
I looked away.
Madison whispered:
“But I think she was wrong.””
I didn't answer.
Because the truth was, I didn't know what I thought anymore.
I had spent years believing family was something you protected.
Now I was learning some people only protected family when there was something to gain.
As I started the car, Rebecca called my name.
“Charlotte.””
I turned.
She held a new document.
“We found something else.””
My stomach tightened.
“What?””
“The sale agreement for Canyon Ridge.””
I waited.
“The buyer wasn't only Lawson Urban Development.””
“What do you mean?””
She looked at Daniel.
Then back at me.
“There was a second party listed.””
“Who?””
Rebecca handed me the paper.
I read the name.
And my heart stopped.
Because the company buying my estate was only the front.
The actual buyer was someone I knew.
Someone who had been inside my home.
May you like
Someone who had hugged me and called me family.
Vanessa Bennett.
