Chapter 17 - The Will Thomas Actually Wanted
The original signed will had been burned.
But Thomas had created more than one copy.
The blue ledger referenced a safety deposit box Rebecca did not recognize.
The account belonged to the veterans’ foundation.
Only Thomas and the foundation’s independent trustee had access.
The trustee opened the box under court order.
Inside was a notarized duplicate of Thomas’s original estate plan.
There was also a video.
Thomas sat behind his office desk.
He looked tired but mentally clear.
“I am recording this because Elaine has begun challenging my decisions.”
He named each beneficiary.
Curtis would receive a limited trust, not direct control of the company.
Rebecca would inherit the veterans’ foundation and Thomas’s personal watch.
Elaine would retain lifetime financial support but no authority to alter the foundation.
Then Thomas looked directly into the camera.
“My daughter Rebecca is serving her country. The details are not mine to share. I am proud of her.”
Rebecca pressed one hand over her mouth.
Thomas continued.
“If she returns after I am gone, tell her I never doubted her.”
The judge watched the entire recording.
Even Elaine lowered her eyes.
The duplicate will satisfied every required formality.
Witnesses were located.
The notary confirmed Thomas signed it freely.
The later will carried forged signatures and false witnesses.
The court invalidated it.
The judge did not yet issue final rulings on every financial matter.
Those would require additional proceedings.
But Thomas’s true estate plan was restored.
Rebecca received the watch.
Curtis lost control of the company pending investigation.
Elaine’s lifetime support rights were placed under independent administration because of the fraud.
Rebecca held the old watch in her scarred hand.
The leather band was worn.
The face was scratched.
It was worth almost nothing compared with the estate.
It meant more to her than everything else.
Carney approached.
“Your father knew who you were.”
Rebecca nodded through tears.
“I wish I had known sooner.”
“He tried to reach you.”
“He did reach me.”
She looked at the watch.
May you like
“It just took longer than he wanted.”
👉 Rebecca had won back her father’s truth, but justice would mean deciding what to do with the foundation Elaine had used as a symbol of status.
