The Will Read Too Early
Chapter 07 - The Will Read Too Early
Richard Bennett’s will was scheduled to be read at three o’clock in the foundation’s boardroom, less than twenty-four hours after Lily’s rescue. Grant was in custody, but Vivian’s attorneys insisted the reading proceed because several charitable projects depended on the estate.
Daniel wanted to stay at the hospital. Lily refused.
“If Vivian controls the board before we expose her, she will destroy every record Dad left,” she said. “I am going.”
Claire arranged security and a doctor approved a brief discharge. When Lily entered the boardroom beside Daniel, conversation stopped. Several board members stared as though they were seeing a ghost. Vivian sat at the head of the table in a white suit, composed and elegant.
The estate attorney, an elderly woman named Nora Finch, opened a sealed envelope. Richard’s will placed his personal assets in trust for Daniel and Lily. Vivian would receive the lake house and a generous annual allowance, but only if no evidence connected her to financial misconduct.
Then Nora read the final condition.
Control of the Bennett Hope Foundation would pass jointly to Richard’s children after they completed an independent audit. Until then, all major transactions required both of their signatures.
Vivian stood. “Lily is under criminal investigation for theft. She cannot serve.”
Claire placed a copy of the updated police report on the table. “She is now considered a victim and a material witness.”
One board member, Dr. Samuel Reed, quietly closed his laptop. Lily noticed. Richard had trusted Reed for fifteen years. He was also the only board member who had not looked surprised when she entered.
Nora continued. Richard had attached a private memorandum. It stated that if either child disappeared, died unexpectedly, or was declared incompetent within thirty days of his death, the foundation’s control would transfer to a federal charitable trust and trigger an automatic forensic audit.
Vivian’s face changed.
Richard had built a trap into his will.
Daniel leaned toward her. “You rushed the funeral because you did not know about the memorandum.”
Vivian laughed, but the sound was brittle. “You have no proof I did anything.”
Dr. Reed rose from his chair. “This meeting is over.”
As he walked toward the door, Lily saw a silver cuff link shaped like a compass. It matched one she had found on the guesthouse floor just before Grant attacked her.
May you like
She looked at Claire.
“The third person,” Lily whispered. “It was Reed.”
