Chapter 8 - What Jason Was Searching For
Jason straightened his tie.
The motion was small, but Emily understood it.
He was rebuilding his mask.
“This woman is lying to save herself.”
Rachel stared at him.
“You promised me no one would know.”
“You were trespassing in my home.”
“You invited me.”
“I did not.”
Rachel’s face crumpled.
For months, Jason had told her she was the future Mrs. Reed.
Now he was preparing to make her the only person responsible.
Daniel opened another page.
“Lily anticipated this.”
Jason’s eyes narrowed.
Daniel read.
“If Rachel Monroe is present when this statement is opened, she should understand that Jason has preserved written evidence portraying her as unstable, obsessive, and responsible for entering our home without permission.”
Rachel went pale.
“What?”
Daniel looked at her.
“He planned to blame you.”
“No.”
“He saved your messages selectively. He deleted his replies. He photographed medication in your apartment.”
Rachel stared at Jason.
“You said you were helping me.”
Jason said nothing.
Daniel continued.
“He also transferred money into your company from your account credentials.”
Rachel’s voice dropped.
“You told me those were consulting payments.”
“They were,” Jason said.
“For what?”
He did not answer.
Daniel held up a blurred bank record.
“The transfers correspond to withdrawals from Lily’s inherited funds.”
Rachel’s breathing became shallow.
“You used my company.”
Jason looked around the church.
“This is all speculation.”
Daniel shook his head.
“The bank has already frozen the accounts.”
That broke him.
Jason took a sharp step forward.
“You had no authority to do that.”
“The estate executor did.”
Jason stopped.
Emily frowned.
“Who is the executor?”
Daniel turned toward her.
“You are.”
Emily stared at him.
“What?”
“Lily appointed you successor trustee and temporary executor if she died while pregnant.”
Jason’s expression twisted.
“She doesn’t know anything about business.”
Emily looked at him.
“I know how to keep my hands off money that isn’t mine.”
A murmur of approval moved through the pews.
Daniel continued.
“The ranch, investment accounts, insurance proceeds, and all personal property are protected pending probate.”
Jason’s voice became venomous.
“You think you won?”
Emily looked at Lily’s portrait.
“No.”
Then she faced him.
“I think Lily stopped you from winning.”
Rachel slowly removed a gold bracelet from her wrist.
Jason had given it to her two months earlier.
She placed it on the casket edge beside the torn envelope.
“I don’t want anything you bought with her money.”
Jason stared at her.
“You’re making a mistake.”
Rachel stepped away.
“No. I made the mistake when I believed you.”
Daniel placed the second sealed document on the casket.
“There is still one witness left.”
Jason’s gaze shot toward the doors again.
May you like
This time, terror was unmistakable.
👉 The final witness was not another member of Lily’s family—and Jason had believed that person could never speak.
