Chapter 5 - Ethan Says The Sale Was Thomas’s Idea
Ethan denied forging anything.
He claimed Thomas discussed selling the property many times.
That was true.
Thomas had considered relocating the gallery to a larger warehouse
district.
But considering a sale was not authorizing one.
Ethan produced text messages.
In one, Thomas wrote:
IF MERIDIAN GETS SERIOUS, SHOW ME NUMBERS.
Victoria seized on it.
“There. Permission.”
Claire looked at Thomas.
He did not dodge the problem.
“I invited a proposal.”
He tapped the letter of intent.
“I did not approve exclusivity, a break fee, or Ethan’s commission.”
That distinction mattered.
But it also showed Thomas had created ambiguity.
He had allowed Victoria and Ethan informal access to negotiations for
years.
He rarely documented boundaries.
His trust in family created room for them to claim they were merely
moving fast.
Claire noticed something else.
The Meridian draft valued the art collection separately.
Not at full appraised value.
Several works were listed as “personal holdings” belonging to Victoria.
They were not.
Claire knew those paintings.
Her mother had cataloged them.
Thomas’s attorney confirmed they belonged to the gallery.
Victoria said the classification was a mistake.
Claire asked:
May you like
“Why were all the mistakes in your favor?”
Victoria had no answer.
Related Stories
