Chapter 7: The Lawyer Who Knew Too Much
I## Chapter 7: The Lawyer Who Knew Too Much
I pulled the phone away from my ear.
“Mr. pulled the phone away from my ear.
“Mr. Bennett?””
Richard didn't answer immediately.
His face had become unreadable.
Evelyn Lawson stepped closer Bennett?””
Richard didn't answer immediately.
His face had become unreadable.
Evelyn Lawson stepped closer, clearly sensing that something had changed.
I looked at Richard again.
“Did you change my grandmother's trust documents?””
He slowly shook his head.
“No.””
“My father just said you did.””
“Your father is lying, clearly sensing that something had changed.
I looked at Richard again.
“Did you change my grandmother's trust documents?””
He slowly shook his head.
“No.””
“My father just said you did.””
“Your father is lying.””
“How do I know that?””
Richard looked genuinely hurt.
Then he reached into his briefcase and removed a small leather-bound notebook.
“Because your grandmother anticipated this exact accusation.””
He opened it.
Inside were several handwritten notes, each dated and signed by my grandmother.
The last page contained a paragraph written in blue ink.
Richard placed it.””
“How do I know that?””
Richard looked genuinely hurt.
Then he reached into his briefcase and removed a small leather-bound notebook.
“Because your grandmother anticipated this exact accusation.””
He opened it.
Inside were several handwritten notes, each dated and signed by my grandmother.
The last page contained a paragraph written in blue ink.
Richard placed it in front of me.
I recognized her handwriting immediately.
*If Daniel ever claims that my attorney altered my trust, ask Richard to show you the sealed amendment. It contains the names of the people who attempted to gain control of my in front of me.
I recognized her handwriting immediately.
If Daniel ever claims that my attorney altered my trust, ask Richard to show you the sealed amendment. It contains the names of the people who attempted to gain control of my company without my permission.
My eyes moved to the signature at the bottom.
My grandmother's.
I looked up.
“What does this mean?””
Richard exhaled.
“Six months before she died, your grandmother discovered that Daniel had approached several potential investors claiming he would eventually inherit Carter Atelier.””
“Why?””
“Because he company without my permission.*
My eyes moved to the signature at the bottom.
My grandmother's.
I looked up.
“What does this mean?””
Richard exhaled.
“Six months before she died, your grandmother discovered that Daniel had approached several potential investors claiming he would eventually inherit Carter Atelier.””
“Why?””
“Because he wanted to sell the company.””
I felt sick.
“She was alive.””
“Yes.””
“And he was trying to sell her business while she was alive?””
Richard nodded.
“He had accumulated significant personal debts. He believed the company would eventually become his wanted to sell the company.””
I felt sick.
“She was alive.””
“Yes.””
“And he was trying to sell her business while she was alive?””
Richard nodded.
“He had accumulated significant personal debts. He believed the company would eventually become his.””
I remembered the arguments.
The slammed doors.
My grandmother sitting silently at the kitchen table after my father left.
I had been eighteen then.
I thought he was angry because she wouldn't lend him money.
I hadn't known there.””
I remembered the arguments.
The slammed doors.
My grandmother sitting silently at the kitchen table after my father left.
I had been eighteen then.
I thought he was angry because she wouldn't lend him money.
I hadn't known there was an entire business behind the argument.
Richard continued.
“Your grandmother revoked his access to all company records and amended her estate plan. She also created a separate trust to protect your inheritance.””
“Why didn't she tell me?””
“She wanted to spare you the was an entire business behind the argument.
Richard continued.
“Your grandmother revoked his access to all company records and amended her estate plan. She also created a separate trust to protect your inheritance.””
“Why didn't she tell me?””
“She wanted to spare you the conflict.””
I looked at the notebook.
“What was the sealed amendment?””
Richard turned to Evelyn.
“Do we have the original?””
She nodded.
“It's in the secure archive.””
“Bring it.””
Evelyn conflict.””
I looked at the notebook.
“What was the sealed amendment?””
Richard turned to Evelyn.
“Do we have the original?””
She nodded.
“It's in the secure archive.””
“Bring it.””
Evelyn stepped aside and made a call.
Meanwhile, my father's voice came through the phone again.
“Nia? Are you still there?””
I lifted it.
“Yes.””
“Don't listen to Bennett. He's always been protecting himself.””
Richard stepped aside and made a call.
Meanwhile, my father's voice came through the phone again.
“Nia? Are you still there?””
I lifted it.
“Yes.””
“Don't listen to Bennett. He's always been protecting himself.””
Richard looked directly at me.
“Ask him why he accepted money from Vanessa.””
I repeated the question.
My father became defensive.
“I already told you. I was trying to secure my future.””
“By selling my grandmother's work?””
“Your grandmother had looked directly at me.
“Ask him why he accepted money from Vanessa.””
I repeated the question.
My father became defensive.
“I already told you. I was trying to secure my future.””
“By selling my grandmother's work?””
“Your grandmother had more money than she could ever spend!””
“That doesn't make it yours.””
“You have no idea what she put me through.””
His more money than she could ever spend!””
“That doesn't make it yours.””
“You have no idea what she put me through.””
His voice cracked.
For a moment, I heard the bitterness beneath his anger.
“I was her son. Everything I did was never enough. She gave you everything.””
I closed my eyes.
“She gave me what you walked away from.””
He said nothing.
Then he lowered his voice.
“Vanessa told me the voice cracked.
For a moment, I heard the bitterness beneath his anger.
“I was her son. Everything I did was never enough. She gave you everything.””
I closed my eyes.
“She gave me what you walked away from.””
He said nothing.
Then he lowered his voice.
“Vanessa told me the school needed the archive for a major project. She promised me a position as a consultant. I thought I could finally build something of my own.””
“You sold something you didn't own to build something of your school needed the archive for a major project. She promised me a position as a consultant. I thought I could finally build something of my own.””
“You sold something you didn't own to build something of your own?””
“It's not that simple.””
“It is to me.””
I ended the call.
My hand was shaking.
Richard placed a glass of water in front of me.
“Your father has been manipulating the situation for years,” he said quietly.
I looked at him.
“And you knew?””
own?””
“It's not that simple.””
“It is to me.””
I ended the call.
My hand was shaking.
Richard placed a glass of water in front of me.
“Your father has been manipulating the situation for years,” he said quietly.
I looked at him.
“And you knew?””
“I knew he had attempted to interfere with your grandmother's business. I did not know he had made another arrangement with Vanessa.””
I wanted to believe him.
But the accusation had planted something uncomfortable in my mind.
Before I could ask another question, Evelyn returned carrying a sealed envelope.
The wax seal bore my“I knew he had attempted to interfere with your grandmother's business. I did not know he had made another arrangement with Vanessa.””
I wanted to believe him.
But the accusation had planted something uncomfortable in my mind.
Before I could ask another question, Evelyn returned carrying a sealed envelope.
The wax seal bore my grandmother's initials.
Richard examined it carefully.
Then he handed it to me.
“Your grandmother instructed that this document be opened only in your presence.””
I broke the seal.
Inside was a notarized amendment, accompanied by several supporting documents.
The first page confirmed that Daniel Carter had no authority over Carter Atelier.
The second page revoked an earlier power of attorney.
The grandmother's initials.
Richard examined it carefully.
Then he handed it to me.
“Your grandmother instructed that this document be opened only in your presence.””
I broke the seal.
Inside was a notarized amendment, accompanied by several supporting documents.
The first page confirmed that Daniel Carter had no authority over Carter Atelier.
The second page revoked an earlier power of attorney.
The third page contained the names of two people who had attempted to gain unauthorized access to the company's intellectual property.
I read the first name.
Daniel Carter.
The second name made my breath catch.
Vanessa Whitmore.
I looked at Richard.
“They were working together before?””
“Yes.””
He pointed to the date.
“Nearly two years before your grandmother third page contained the names of two people who had attempted to gain unauthorized access to the company's intellectual property.
I read the first name.
Daniel Carter.
The second name made my breath catch.
Vanessa Whitmore.
I looked at Richard.
“They were working together before?””
“Yes.””
He pointed to the date.
“Nearly two years before your grandmother passed away.””
I continued reading.
The document described an attempted transfer of historical design rights.
My grandmother had discovered the scheme and stopped it.
But there was another detail.
A handwritten note appeared at the bottom.
*Vanessa has been requesting access to the original Sunlight Collection. I refused. She claims it is for educational purposes, but she has already approached private passed away.””
I continued reading.
The document described an attempted transfer of historical design rights.
My grandmother had discovered the scheme and stopped it.
But there was another detail.
A handwritten note appeared at the bottom.
Vanessa has been requesting access to the original Sunlight Collection. I refused. She claims it is for educational purposes, but she has already approached private investors. If she ever gets her hands on the collection, she will use my work to establish a fashion house under her daughter's name.
I looked toward the stage.
Brianna was sitting alone investors. If she ever gets her hands on the collection, she will use my work to establish a fashion house under her daughter's name.*
I looked toward the stage.
Brianna was sitting alone now.
Her mother was speaking with a school administrator.
I returned to the document.
The Sunlight Collection.
I knew that name.
It was the collection that had inspired my gown.
My grandmother had told me stories about it when I was a child.
She said now.
Her mother was speaking with a school administrator.
I returned to the document.
The Sunlight Collection.
I knew that name.
It was the collection that had inspired my gown.
My grandmother had told me stories about it when I was a child.
She said she had created the collection after watching sunlight pass through the stained-glass windows of her church.
It had been her most personal work.
And Vanessa had wanted it for years.
“Why didn't Grandma sue her?”” I asked.
Richard sighed.
“She was trying to gather enough evidence. She became she had created the collection after watching sunlight pass through the stained-glass windows of her church.
It had been her most personal work.
And Vanessa had wanted it for years.
“Why didn't Grandma sue her?”” I asked.
Richard sighed.
“She was trying to gather enough evidence. She became ill before she could finish.””
I swallowed.
“So Vanessa stole my gown because she couldn't get the original collection?””
“That's what the evidence suggests.””
Evelyn tapped her tablet.
“There's another issue.””
I turned.
“What?””
“The original design archive contains forty-three registered designs. Several have appeared in Whitmore's recent student collections ill before she could finish.””
I swallowed.
“So Vanessa stole my gown because she couldn't get the original collection?””
“That's what the evidence suggests.””
Evelyn tapped her tablet.
“There's another issue.””
I turned.
“What?””
“The original design archive contains forty-three registered designs. Several have appeared in Whitmore's recent student collections without proper attribution.””
Richard's expression darkened.
“Show me.””
Evelyn displayed a series of images.
One dress was nearly identical to a Carter Atelier evening gown from twenty years earlier.
Another featured the same embroidery pattern.
A third used a signature sleeve design that belonged to my grandmother without proper attribution.””
Richard's expression darkened.
“Show me.””
Evelyn displayed a series of images.
One dress was nearly identical to a Carter Atelier evening gown from twenty years earlier.
Another featured the same embroidery pattern.
A third used a signature sleeve design that belonged to my grandmother's archive.
My stomach twisted.
“How many students have been told these designs were original?””
“We don't know yet,” Evelyn replied.
I looked toward the auditorium.
Suddenly, the problem felt much larger than Brianna.
Other students might have received awards for work they hadn't created.
Other designers might have lost opportunities.
Other's archive.
My stomach twisted.
“How many students have been told these designs were original?””
“We don't know yet,” Evelyn replied.
I looked toward the auditorium.
Suddenly, the problem felt much larger than Brianna.
Other students might have received awards for work they hadn't created.
Other designers might have lost opportunities.
Other families might have been pushed out of the industry.
Vanessa hadn't simply stolen one dress.
She had built an entire reputation around controlling other people's work.
Richard closed the amendment.
“There's something else your grandmother wanted you to families might have been pushed out of the industry.
Vanessa hadn't simply stolen one dress.
She had built an entire reputation around controlling other people's work.
Richard closed the amendment.
“There's something else your grandmother wanted you to know.””
He removed a small photograph from the envelope.
It showed my grandmother standing in front of an old brick building.
Above the entrance was a sign.
*THE CARTER SCHOOL OF DESIGN.*
I stared.
“What is this?””
“Your know.””
He removed a small photograph from the envelope.
It showed my grandmother standing in front of an old brick building.
Above the entrance was a sign.
*THE CARTER SCHOOL OF DESIGN.*
I stared.
“What is this?””
“Your grandmother's original design academy. It closed fifteen years ago.””
“Why?””
“Funding problems. She couldn't compete with the larger institutions.””
I looked at the photograph.
The building had beautiful windows and a small garden.
“What happened grandmother's original design academy. It closed fifteen years ago.””
“Why?””
“Funding problems. She couldn't compete with the larger institutions.””
I looked at the photograph.
The building had beautiful windows and a small garden.
“What happened to it?””
“Your grandmother retained ownership of the property. She left it to the same trust.””
I looked at him.
“Why are you showing me this?””
“Because she wanted you to decide whether it should reopen.””
I ran my fingers across the photograph.
A place where students wouldn't need wealthy parents to get opportunities.
A place where talent to it?””
“Your grandmother retained ownership of the property. She left it to the same trust.””
I looked at him.
“Why are you showing me this?””
“Because she wanted you to decide whether it should reopen.””
I ran my fingers across the photograph.
A place where students wouldn't need wealthy parents to get opportunities.
A place where talent mattered more than a surname.
I thought about Olivia.
About Hannah.
About the students who had stood silently while Vanessa slapped me.
Then I looked toward the stage.
Brianna was now arguing with her mother.
Van mattered more than a surname.
I thought about Olivia.
About Hannah.
About the students who had stood silently while Vanessa slapped me.
Then I looked toward the stage.
Brianna was now arguing with her mother.
Vanessa suddenly grabbed her daughter's arm and pulled her toward a side corridor.
Evelyn noticed.
“Where are they going?””
Richard checked the documents.
“I don't know.””
Thenessa suddenly grabbed her daughter's arm and pulled her toward a side corridor.
Evelyn noticed.
“Where are they going?””
Richard checked the documents.
“I don't know.””
Then a school security officer hurried toward us.
“Mr. Bennett?””
Richard turned.
The officer looked nervous.
“There's a problem in the administrative office.””
“What kind of problem?””
“The original design registration records have disappeared.””
My heart stopped.
“Which records?””
May you like
He swallowed.
“All of them.””
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