Chapter 26 - the arrest beneath the apple treesSamuel ran deeper into the orchard.
Daniel followed until they reached an abandoned well.
Samuel held the trust over its opening.
“One step closer and your daughters inherit nothing.”
“They are not my daughters,” Daniel said.
Samuel paused.
Daniel continued.
“They are children. That is why you will never understand the trust.”
Samuel dropped the document.
Daniel did not move to catch it.
The pages disappeared into the well.
For the first time, Samuel looked uncertain.
“You let it go.”
“I chose the living.”
Police surrounded the orchard.
Samuel pressed the knife to his own throat, demanding a vehicle and immunity.
Tessa stepped forward.
“You always said Mercers never surrendered.”
Samuel looked at her.
That moment of pride defeated him.
An officer fired a stun device. Samuel collapsed before he could use the knife.
As he was taken away, he called Daniel by Richard’s name.
The original trust seemed lost.
But Claire revealed that she had photographed every page while speaking with Samuel.
One clause had been added by hand.
It named a third custodian.
Not Margaret.
Not Daniel.
Rose Bennett.
Richard had trusted Rose to protect both family lines if everyone else failed.
May you like
Rose read the clause silently.
Then she began to cry.
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