Chapter 13 - Brooke’s Second Plan
Brooke had submitted a private loan agreement claiming Jameson owed her $220,000.
The agreement used the house as security.
If he failed to repay her within ninety days, Brooke could seek ownership through the property company.
Jameson stared at her.
“You said that document was for business protection.”
“It was.”
“Against who?”
Brooke looked at him.
“Against you.”
Eliana laughed bitterly.
“You chose a thief.”
Brooke turned on her.
“You forged Ruby’s deed.”
The driveway erupted into accusations.
Jameson said Brooke had manipulated him.
Brooke said Jameson promised marriage and ownership.
Eliana claimed both were incompetent.
The officer ordered them to remain separated.
Ruby watched without satisfaction.
They had all believed they were exploiting someone weaker.
In reality, they were exploiting one another.
Brooke’s private agreement revealed she had never trusted Jameson to leave Ruby.
She intended to secure the house whether the divorce succeeded or not.
She also kept copies of messages Jameson deleted.
One message read:
AFTER RUBY SIGNS, WE MOVE THE MONEY BEFORE MOM CAN TOUCH IT.
Eliana read it.
Her face changed.
“You were going to cut me out?”
Jameson backed away.
“That wasn’t final.”
“You used my cousin. My accounts. My plan.”
Brooke laughed.
“Your plan?”
Ruby looked at the three of them.
The family unit had collapsed before any court ruling.
Rachel quietly explained that Brooke’s lien was also invalid because Jameson did not have sole authority over the property.
But the attempted filing strengthened the fraud case.
Brooke immediately offered to cooperate.
Jameson called her a liar.
She answered, “You told me Ruby was stupid.”
Ruby met Brooke’s eyes.
“No. He needed you to believe that.”
Brooke looked down at the emerald robe lying over the suitcase.
Shame crossed her face.
“I’m sorry.”
Ruby’s voice remained cool.
“You are sorry because the door locked behind you.”
Brooke had no defense.
The title investigator confirmed the house would remain secured until ownership and fraud issues were resolved.
Jameson could not enter.
Eliana could not enter.
Brooke could not retrieve her belongings without supervision.
The officer extended fresh tape across the driveway.
Then Ruby handed over the keys.
Jameson stared at them entering the evidence bag.
“Why are you giving them away?”
Ruby looked at the house.
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“Because those are not the only keys.”
👉 Ruby had already changed control of the property through a legal mechanism Jameson never knew existed.
