Chapter 4 - The Brother’s Debt
Paige began reviewing the estate records.
She discovered that Kyle’s investment trust had been reduced because he had borrowed millions against future payments. Several loans were connected to companies Grant had helped create.
One company owned luxury properties that existed only on promotional documents.
Another had accepted investments and transferred the money into private accounts.
Paige brought the records to Samuel.
“Is Kyle in trouble?” she asked.
Samuel removed his glasses.
“Your brother owes a great deal of money.”
“To Grant?”
“To lenders introduced by Grant. Your father learned about it last year.”
“Why didn’t he tell me?”
“He hoped Kyle would admit the truth himself.”
Kyle had not.
Instead, he had become dependent on Grant.
Samuel showed Paige an email Theodore had sent shortly before his death.
Kyle is not acting freely. Grant has made his fear useful.
Paige read the sentence twice.
“Can I help him?”
“You may not be able to help someone who still believes betrayal is his best escape.”
A week later, Kyle arrived at Rosehaven carrying property documents.
He told Paige they were routine trust forms.
“Sign them, and the bank can release funds for maintenance,” he said.
Paige examined the first page.
The language gave Kyle authority to negotiate the sale of the estate.
“You lied to me.”
His face flushed.
“I simplified it.”
“You tried to trick me into surrendering control.”
“You have no idea how much pressure I’m under.”
“Then tell me.”
Kyle paced across the library.
“I made bad investments. Grant said he could fix them.”
“By selling our father’s home?”
“It is a house, Paige.”
“It was Dad’s life.”
“And what about my life?”
Paige softened.
“We can speak to Samuel. We can restructure your debts.”
Kyle looked toward the windows.
For one brief moment, she saw the frightened brother she remembered.
Then his phone rang.
Grant’s name appeared on the screen.
Kyle rejected Paige’s offer.
“You always were Dad’s favorite,” he said. “Now you get to pretend you earned everything.”
He left the documents behind.
Paige found a handwritten note between the pages.
Get her out before the end of the month.
May you like
There was no signature.
There did not need to be.
