Chapter 8 - The Dinner Trap
Celeste arranged a private family dinner.
She thought it was hers.
It was actually ours.
Federal investigators monitored the house from outside.
Daniel listened remotely.
Henry had already secured an emergency order protecting the trust.
I arrived looking exhausted.
Celeste smiled.
Grant poured wine.
I pretended to drink.
Then Celeste placed another document before me.
“Your father would want peace.”
“What is it?”
“A temporary trusteeship.”
I stared at the signature line.
Celeste touched my hand.
“You're overwhelmed.”
Grant whispered, “Sign it, Claire.”
I looked at him.
“You really want me to?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“So we can move forward.”
I picked up the pen.
Celeste's breathing changed.
Then I deliberately dropped it.
Grant bent to retrieve it.
And Celeste whispered something she believed only he could hear.
“Once she signs, we're done.”
The microphone beneath my necklace heard everything.
I signed the same false signature.
Grant collected the document.
Celeste smiled.
For the first time, I smiled back.
She didn't understand why.
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