Chapter 12 - The Scramble
Elliot ran toward the study.
Margot had expected it.
Claire locked the study door remotely using the smart-home app.
Elliot slammed into it and spun around.
“What did you do?”
“Protected my mother’s property,” Claire said.
Lucas lunged for Claire’s phone.
Margot stepped between them.
“Don’t touch her.”
Her voice was quiet.
But Lucas stopped.
Denise called Margot’s attorney, Rebecca Sloan, who had been waiting nearby with a forensic accountant.
Rebecca entered moments later and instructed everyone not to remove or destroy anything.
Lucas laughed bitterly.
“You can’t order me around in my own home.”
Rebecca placed a certified deed on the table.
“This home is held by the Stephens Family Trust.”
“So?”
“You are not the sole trustee.”
Lucas’s face changed.
Margot had forgotten the original trust created by her late parents—but Rebecca had not.
Any transfer of the house required Margot’s independent consent.
The documents Lucas wanted her to sign were designed to create exactly that consent.
Rebecca turned to Sandra.
“Did you witness coercion?”
Sandra looked at the blurred glasses, the yellow tabs, and Lucas blocking Margot’s path.
“Yes.”
Elliot edged toward the foyer.
Claire raised her phone.
“You’re on camera.”
He stopped.
Lucas pointed at Margot.
“She asked me to manage everything.”
May you like
“Manage,” Margot replied, “is not the same as steal.”
👉 Then Rebecca opened the forensic report and revealed that Ashdown Literary Holdings had a second owner.
