Chapter 12 - Lucas’s Demand
Lucas called again.
This time Nathaniel answered on speaker.
“You have something that belongs to the trust,” he said.
Lucas laughed.
“I have several things that belong to several people.”
“What do you want?”
“Protection.”
“From whom?”
“Beatrice.”
Her face hardened.
Lucas continued.
“She planned to blame the entire scheme on Ethan.”
Ethan looked at his mother.
Beatrice said nothing.
Lucas claimed Beatrice had created a second contract.
If authorities discovered the fraud, Ethan would appear to be the sole architect.
His signatures appeared on every financial transfer.
Every access request.
Every attempt to remove the covenant.
Beatrice’s instructions were verbal.
“She used you,” Maya said.
Ethan looked sick.
Beatrice finally spoke.
“Lucas is lying.”
Lucas laughed.
“I recorded you.”
The line went silent for one beat.
Then he played a short clip.
Beatrice’s voice:
If the trust challenges us, Ethan takes responsibility. He wanted the house badly enough.
Ethan stared at her.
“You said we were partners.”
Beatrice’s expression softened artificially.
“You are my son.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
“No,” Maya said. “It never is.”
Lucas offered to return the covenant and financial drive if granted immunity.
Nathaniel could not promise that.
But prosecutors might consider cooperation.
Lucas agreed to meet at the trust office.
Before ending the call, he said:
“Ask Beatrice what happened to Maya’s grandfather the night he added the winter clause.”
The room went silent.
May you like
Maya turned toward Beatrice.
“What happened to him?”
