Chapter 3 - THE CALL FROM THE TRUSTEE

Cassandra answered on speaker.

“Elijah.”

“Ms. Vale.”

His voice was dry.

Formal.

“I understand there has been an incident at the residence.”

Cassandra looked at Gabriel.

“How could you possibly know that?”

“Mr. Vale contacted estate security.”

Gabriel said nothing.

Elijah continued.

“Because your conduct may trigger Section Fourteen of the Theodore Vale Living Trust, I am required to preserve all evidence.”

Cassandra’s hand began shaking.

“There was no assault.”

“I did not ask for your interpretation.”

“You cannot treat me like a criminal.”

“I am treating you like a beneficiary whose actions may affect trust administration.”

Elena watched Cassandra carefully.

For years, Cassandra had dominated every room by making other people react first.

Elijah gave her nothing.

Cassandra tried another approach.

“Elijah, this is a family disagreement.”

“The trust specifically anticipated that phrase.”

Gabriel almost smiled.

Cassandra stared at him.

Elijah continued.

“At 9:00 tomorrow morning, all named beneficiaries will attend the reading at Vale House.”

“I suggest you bring counsel.”

The call ended.

Cassandra immediately dialed someone else.

Gabriel recognized the name on her screen.

Julian Cross.

Her attorney.

He answered quickly.

Cassandra walked toward the guest wing.

Gabriel called after her.

“You’re not staying here.”

She turned.

“What?”

“This is Elena’s home too.”

“You assaulted her here.”

“You leave tonight.”

Cassandra laughed bitterly.

“The estate is in the family trust.”

“Not this house.”

Gabriel answered.

“Theodore transferred it to Elena and me last year.”

Cassandra looked at Elena.

“You own this?”

“Half.”

The answer hurt her more than it should have.

Cassandra had always treated Elena like a temporary guest.

Now she discovered Elena legally owned the floor where Cassandra had tried to humiliate her.

Julian called back.

Cassandra whispered urgently.

Then she stopped.

“What do you mean you already knew?”

Everyone looked at her.

Julian’s voice was faint through the phone.

Cassandra walked away.

But Elena heard enough.

Theodore had contacted Julian’s firm months earlier.

He had warned them about the conduct clause.

Cassandra’s own lawyer had been instructed to tell her.

Apparently, someone had.

And Cassandra had ignored it.

Gabriel looked at his sister.

“You knew about the clause.”

She said nothing.

Elena felt cold.

This changed everything.

Cassandra had not attacked her without understanding the risk.

She had believed she could do it and avoid consequences.

Gabriel asked the only question that mattered.

“If you knew one act of violence could cost you thirty-eight million dollars, why did you do it?”

Cassandra’s face went still.

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Then she looked at Elena.

“Because she was supposed to leave before anyone saw.”