Chapter 8 - Richard Cole Tried to Buy Silence
Vanessa’s father called the next morning.
Richard Cole did not apologize.
He offered Sophia money.
A lot of it.
He said family disputes were ugly.
He suggested a private settlement before lawyers made everything worse.
Sophia asked:
“How much?”
Richard named a number.
Two million dollars.
Adrian looked at her.
Sophia almost laughed.
“You’re offering me two million before I even know what the trust is
worth?”
Richard became quiet.
That silence told her more than the offer.
Harold later explained the trust’s current holdings could be worth
several times that amount depending on valuation and unresolved
distributions.
Sophia did not celebrate.
She felt sick.
Her mother had worked double shifts while a family trust may have held
assets intended for her.
But Harold cautioned her.
Old estate disputes were complicated.
Intentions, amendments, distributions, and control rights all required
review.
Sophia nodded.
May you like
She did not need a fantasy.
She needed records.
