Chapter 9 - Frank And Vanessa Parents Distance Themselves From The Scheme
The following evening, a silver sedan pulled up to the curb, and Vanessa’s father, Frank, stepped out alone. He looked exhausted, his shoulders slumped as he walked cautiously up the driveway toward my front porch. I watched him through the window, then opened the door before he could even raise his hand to knock.
"Margaret... I need to talk to you," Frank said quietly, keeping his gaze fixed on the concrete doormat. "If you're here to defend Daniel and Vanessa's property theft, save your breath, Frank," I replied coldly.
"No, Margaret. I came to apologize," Frank confessed, running a tired hand over his graying hair. "Vanessa and Daniel told us you happily agreed to gift us the bedrooms and sign over the house."
I raised an eyebrow, leaning against the doorframe with skeptical detachment. "And you believed them without ever asking me directly?"
"They showed us a forged deed and claimed you were getting forgetful in your old age," Frank admitted shamefully. "We had no idea they committed forgery or threw a wine glass at your face until the police report leaked."
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Frank pulled a manila envelope from his jacket pocket and placed it gently on the small patio table. "We rented a small two-bedroom apartment across town this morning. We want nothing to do with their crimes."
I looked down at the envelope, nodding slowly as a shred of human decency flickered in Frank's eyes. "Thank you for telling me the truth, Frank, but your daughter has a very difficult storm coming her way."
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