Chapter 5 - The Birthday DeadlineSamuel finally explained the mechanism Claire’s grandmother had built into the trust.
Claire’s twenty-ninth birthday was not ceremonial.
It was a trigger.
If she remained legally eligible through that date, she would inherit authority to demand a forensic accounting of every trust transaction.
If she voluntarily abandoned the estate beforehand, temporary control could transfer to a committee dominated by Walter Cole’s allies.
Suddenly Ethan’s timing made perfect sense.
The boxes.
The public humiliation.
Vanessa standing beside him.
The demand that Claire leave immediately.
They had needed Claire angry enough to walk away.
That evening Ethan entered the dining room carrying a cashier’s check.
One hundred thousand dollars.
“Take this,” he said.
“Go anywhere you want.”
Claire looked at the amount.
Then looked at him.
“You really are terrified.”
May you like
His face changed.
He knew she finally understood.
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