Chapter 7 - THE SECRET TRUST
The next morning, Naomi contacted a specialist attorney.
His name was Michael Harris.
He had handled international trust litigation for nearly thirty years.
When he examined the documents, his expression became serious.
“This is legitimate.”
Naomi swallowed.
“How much?”
He gave her a number.
She stared.
“That's impossible.”
“It's old money.”
“How old?”
“Twenty-six years.”
Graham looked at the documents.
“Why would nobody know?”
“Because the trust was deliberately hidden.”
“From whom?”
“From everyone except the trustees.”
Naomi pointed at Daniel's name.
“This man is one of them.”
“Yes.”
“Then why is he helping Vanessa?”
Michael shook his head.
“We don't know that yet.”
“What happens if someone gains control of Maisie?”
“The trustee may have significant authority.”
“And if Vanessa becomes guardian?”
“She could potentially influence distributions.”
Naomi felt sick.
“So they didn't need to take the inheritance immediately.”
“No.”
“They only needed access.”
“Yes.”
The strategy suddenly made perfect sense.
First, make Naomi look unstable.
Then remove her from Maisie's life.
Then elevate Vanessa into the role of trusted stepmother.
Then influence the child.
Finally, gain control of the trust.
A long-term plan.
And the wedding incident had been only one step.
Graham sat quietly.
“I invited this woman into my daughter's life.”
Naomi looked at him.
“You didn't know.”
“I should have.”
“No.”
She touched the file.
“We both believed the wrong people.”
He looked at her.
“Do you regret marrying me?”
The question surprised her.
“Sometimes.”
He nodded.
“Do you regret Maisie?”
“Never.”
He smiled faintly.
“Neither do I.”
For a moment, there was no anger between them.
Only the strange tenderness of two people who had once loved each other and still loved the same child more than anything else.
Then Michael interrupted.
“There is another problem.”
“What?”
“The trust contains a succession clause.”
“What kind?”
“If Naomi dies before Maisie turns eighteen, control doesn't automatically transfer to Graham.”
Graham looked up.
“Then who?”
Michael turned the page.
The name was:
Vanessa Mercer.
The room went silent.
Naomi's hands became cold.
“That's impossible.”
“It was signed twenty-six years ago.”
“Why would my grandfather name my ex-husband's future wife?”
“He didn't.”
Michael pointed to a later amendment.
“Someone changed the trustee designation six months ago.”
Graham stared.
“Six months?”
“That was after my father died.”
“Who filed it?”
Michael looked at the signature.
“Daniel Cross.”
Naomi closed her eyes.
“Then Vanessa wasn't chosen by accident.”
Graham's phone rang.
He answered.
It was his mother.
“Graham.”
“What?”
“You need to come home.”
“Why?”
“Vanessa is packing.”
Graham's expression changed.
“Why?”
“She says she's leaving.”
Naomi looked at him.
Graham asked:
“Where?”
His mother hesitated.
“She didn't say.”
“Then find out.”
The call ended.
Naomi stood.
“We need to know where she's going.”
May you like
Graham nodded.
“Tonight.”
