Chapter 3: What My Mother Left Behind
Martin didn't read the document immediately.
Instead, he looked at my father.
“David, I need you to understand something. Claire didn't create this trust because she distrusted you.””
Dad nodded.
“I know.””
“She created it because she understood how vulnerable a family business could become after a death.””
Dad looked down at his hands.
“I should have listened to her more.””
Martin turned toward me.
“Lily, your mother asked me to make sure you received a copy of her letter when you were old enough to understand the situation.””
“I'm fourteen,” I said.
“I believe you're old enough.””
He unfolded the paper.
The room became completely silent.
Then he began reading.
My dearest Lily,
If Martin is showing you this letter, something has happened that I hoped would never happen.
I don't know how old you'll be when you read it. I don't know whether your father will be sitting beside you, or whether you'll have to find the courage to read it alone.
But I want you to remember one thing.
Never let anyone convince you that being kind means allowing them to take what belongs to you.
My eyes filled.
Martin continued.
Your father and I built Bennett Construction together. We made mistakes. We lost money. We spent nights sitting at the kitchen table trying to work out how to pay our employees when a client failed to pay us.
But we never cheated anyone.
I want you to understand that the company is more than buildings, money, and contracts. It represents the people who trusted us when we had almost nothing.
The shares I placed in your trust are not a prize. They are a responsibility.
Protect them. Protect yourself.
And if someone ever tries to make you feel guilty for asking questions, remember that questions are not betrayal.
Love always,
Mom.
I pressed my fingers against my lips.
I had read hundreds of my mother's old notes.
But this was different.
It felt as if she'd somehow reached through the years and found me sitting in that room.
Dad wiped his eyes.
“Claire,” he whispered.
Martin gave him a moment.
Then he returned to the business.
“The trust contains a clause preventing any beneficiary's shares from being transferred without independent legal review and approval from the designated trustee.””
“Who is the trustee?”” Dad asked.
“An independent financial institution. I serve as the legal representative.””
“So Rebecca couldn't take Lily's shares?””
“Not legally.””
Rebecca's voice interrupted from the stairs.
“Unless the trust is invalid.””
Everyone turned.
She had changed into a black dress and was holding her handbag.
Martin stood.
“Why would you suggest that?””
“Because Claire signed it while she was seriously ill. There's a question about her capacity.””
My father looked at her in disbelief.
“You're questioning Claire's mental capacity?””
“I'm saying we need to examine everything.””
“She was fully capable.””
Rebecca shrugged.
“Then you have nothing to worry about.””
Martin closed the folder.
“Mrs. Bennett, I would advise you not to make allegations without evidence.””
Rebecca walked toward the living room.
“I'm simply asking questions.””
I recognized her words.
She had spent three years telling me I was disrespectful for asking questions.
Now she was doing exactly what she had punished me for.
Dad stood.
“Rebecca, sit down.””
“I have somewhere to be.””
“Where?””
“Out.””
“It's nearly ten.””
“I'm an adult, David.””
“Not an answer.””
She looked at him.
For a second, I thought she might scream.
Instead, she smiled.
“Do you really want to do this tonight?””
Dad glanced at the documents.
“Yes.””
Rebecca's smile disappeared.
“Fine.””
She dropped her handbag onto the sofa and sat down.
Martin explained that the pending property transfers involved a newly formed company called RB Holdings.
The initials made my stomach tighten.
“RB,” I whispered.
Rebecca looked at me.
“What?””
“Your initials.””
“That's a coincidence.””
Martin opened another page.
“RB Holdings was incorporated eleven months ago.””
Dad frowned.
“By whom?””
Martin turned the page toward him.
“Rebecca Bennett.””
Dad stared at the document.
“You created a company?””
“I was exploring investment opportunities.””
“With my company properties?””
“Our company properties,” she corrected.
“Those buildings belong to Bennett Construction.””
“Which is why I was trying to make them more profitable.””
Dad stood so quickly that his chair scraped backward.
“You were transferring them into a company you own.””
Rebecca sighed.
“David, don't be dramatic.””
Martin interrupted.
“The proposed transaction would have moved three commercial properties into RB Holdings at values significantly below their current market assessments.””
Dad's face went pale.
“How much?””
Martin gave him a figure.
I didn't understand all the zeros.
But I understood my father's reaction.
He sat down heavily.
“That's impossible.””
“It's documented,” Martin replied.
Rebecca crossed her legs.
“Those are preliminary valuations.””
“Who arranged them?”” Dad demanded.
“A consultant.””
“Name.””
She hesitated.
“Jonathan Price.””
Martin immediately looked up.
“Jonathan Price?””
Dad turned toward him.
“You know him?””
“I represented another business that had dealings with him. He was suspended from a professional association after an investigation into fraudulent property valuations.””
Rebecca's jaw tightened.
“He was never convicted of anything.””
“That doesn't make him a suitable consultant,” Martin said.
Dad looked at her.
“How did you meet him?””
“Through a friend.””
“Which friend?””
She didn't answer.
Then her phone buzzed.
She glanced at the screen and quickly turned it facedown.
Martin noticed.
“Who is contacting you?””
“Nobody.””
“Then you won't mind leaving the phone on the table while we review these records.””
Rebecca stood.
“Absolutely not.””
Dad took a step toward her.
“Rebecca.””
She picked up her handbag.
“I am not being interrogated in my own home.””
Martin remained calm.
“Then perhaps you should speak with your own attorney before making any further decisions.””
Rebecca looked at me.
Her expression was full of hatred.
“This is all because of you.””
I didn't move.
“You think you're clever, don't you? Finding papers and running to your father.””
I held Emma's stuffed rabbit, which she'd left beside the sofa.
“I didn't make those papers.””
“You've been waiting for this.””
“No,” I said quietly.
“I was waiting for you to stop hurting people.””
Dad stepped forward.
“That's enough, Rebecca.””
She looked at him.
Then she laughed.
“Do you know what your daughter has been doing? She's been watching me. Listening to my conversations. Searching through my belongings.””
“Because she heard you talking about transferring properties.””
“You're taking her word over mine?””
Dad looked at the sauce stain still visible on the dining-room table.
Then at the small red mark on my cheek.
“Yes.””
For the first time, Rebecca looked genuinely frightened.
She grabbed her phone and went upstairs.
Martin waited until the bedroom door closed.
Then he turned to Dad.
“We need to move quickly. Tomorrow morning, I'll contact the bank, the corporate registrar, and the property attorneys.””
“Can we stop the transfers?””
“We can attempt to freeze the pending transactions immediately.””
Dad nodded.
Then Martin added something that made my stomach drop.
“There is another issue.””
“What now?””
“The trust records show that someone requested a change of beneficiary information three weeks ago.””
Dad frowned.
“Who?””
Martin looked at the screen of his laptop.
“The request was submitted using Lily's personal details.””
I stopped breathing.
“What does that mean?””
May you like
Martin looked at me carefully.
“It means someone may have attempted to impersonate you.””
