Chapter 7 - the blue file
The blue file was missing.
Hannah searched the library.
Nothing.
She searched the basement.
Nothing.
Then she remembered her father's habit.
Richard never hid important documents in obvious places.
He hid them where people stopped looking.
The piano.
Hannah removed the cover.
Underneath the wooden frame was a narrow compartment.
Inside was the blue file.
She opened it.
The first page was a bank transfer.
Millions of dollars.
The money had been moved from a family account to a private trust.
The beneficiary was Hannah.
But the transfer had been challenged.
The second document showed Vivian had attempted to reverse it.
The third document was a letter from Richard.
Vivian,
You have mistaken patience for weakness.
I know what happened at the lake house.
I know what you did.
And if you ever attempt to remove Hannah from this estate, Samuel will release everything.
Hannah stopped reading.
The last page was dated two days before Richard's death.
I am leaving Hannah one final protection.
If she is ever threatened, the estate will transfer immediately.
Hannah stared at the words.
Then she saw something handwritten beneath them.
The condition is not death.
The condition is attempted eviction.
Hannah suddenly understood.
Vivian was not simply trying to remove her.
She was triggering the clause.
And Vivian did not know Hannah had discovered it.
Or perhaps she did.
The sound of footsteps interrupted her.
Hannah closed the file.
Vivian stood in the doorway.
“You found it.”
Hannah did not answer.
May you like
Vivian smiled.
“That changes things.”
