Chapter 2: The Estate Was Never His
Chapter 2: The Estate Was Never His
Julian forced a laugh.
"This is absurd."
"My fiancée is upset."
Malcolm ignored him.
Instead, he handed Vivian a leather folder.
She opened it calmly.
Inside were the original trust documents.
Every signature.
Every seal.
Every transfer.
Julian frowned.
"What is this supposed to prove?"
Vivian stood slowly.
This time she didn't stumble.
"The Crowe Foundation never purchased Hartwell Estate."
She looked directly into Julian's eyes.
"It was leased."
The room became perfectly still.
"For one dollar a year."
Julian's expression froze.
"The lease expired yesterday."
A murmur spread through the guests.
Vivian continued.
"My grandfather allowed your father to manage the estate after the financial crisis."
"But ownership..."
She gently closed the folder.
"...never left my family."
Elise's champagne glass slipped from her fingers and shattered across the marble floor.
Julian stared at the documents.
"No..."
"That's impossible."
"It isn't."
Malcolm stepped forward.
May you like
"You never owned this house."
"You merely occupied it."
