Chapter 7 - Daniel's Trust Had Never Disappeared
Richard opened the wall safe.
He removed a leather binder.
Inside was Daniel Hale’s trust agreement.
Emma’s name appeared in the beneficiary section.
Not Emma Collins.
Baby Girl Hale.
Contingent heir.
Richard explained that Daniel had signed the document three months before his death.
If he died before his child was born, his shares would be held in trust until the child turned twenty-five.
Emma was twenty-four.
One year away.
She stared at the page.
“Who controls the trust?”
Richard looked at Victoria.
Emma already knew the answer.
Victoria.
Claire whispered, “Oh my God.”
Victoria snapped.
“I was trustee because Daniel trusted me.”
Richard laughed.
“Daniel never appointed you.”
Victoria froze.
Richard turned the document.
The trustee named was Anna Collins.
Emma’s mother.
If Anna died or became unable to serve, control passed to Richard.
Not Victoria.
Emma looked at her aunt.
“Then how did you get control?”
Victoria’s face drained.
Richard pulled out another document.
An amendment.
Dated two weeks after Daniel died.
It named Victoria trustee.
The signature at the bottom belonged to Anna.
Emma looked at Richard.
“Is it real?”
“No.”
Victoria exploded.
“You cannot prove that.”
Richard’s voice hardened.
“I already did.”
He had commissioned a forensic handwriting analysis.
The signature was traced.
Emma felt sick.
“You forged my mother’s name?”
Victoria shook her head.
“I didn’t.”
Richard replied, “Someone did.”
Emma stared at Victoria.
That distinction mattered.
Richard continued.
“The amendment was prepared by the Hale family attorney.”
“Who?”
Richard looked toward the study door.
“Martin Cross.”
Claire frowned.
“He died years ago.”
“Yes.”
“Then who can explain it?”
Richard looked at Emma.
“His son.”
Emma’s stomach dropped.
She knew Martin Cross’s son.
Everyone in the house did.
May you like
He had been sitting at dinner before the coffee incident.
And he had left the room five minutes before Richard arrived.
