Chapter 9 - THE HOUSE WAS NEVER HIS
After the board meeting, Andrew returned to the mansion expecting at least one place where he still held authority.
He found movers in the front hall.
Escalante Property Holdings had issued a formal notice requiring all nonapproved occupants to leave within seventy-two hours.
Margaret stood beneath the chandelier, shouting at the estate manager.
“My family has lived here for years.”
Mrs. Ellis remained polite.
“The property has always belonged to the Escalante trust.”
“I selected every piece of furniture.”
“The trust purchased the furniture as well.”
Margaret pointed toward a portrait of her late husband.
“That belongs to me.”
“Yes, Mrs. Whitmore.”
“Then remove it carefully.”
The answer stunned her.
She had expected resistance.
Instead, the staff was helping her pack.
It made the loss real.
Andrew entered his study.
The safe had been sealed.
His computer access had been revoked.
Even the wine collection belonged to an Escalante hospitality subsidiary.
Brenda stood near the staircase with two suitcases.
“Where are you going?” Andrew demanded.
“My apartment.”
“The apartment paid for with stolen company money?”
“My attorney told me not to speak to you.”
“You have an attorney?”
“She contacted me this morning.”
Andrew laughed without humor.
“Of course she did.”
Brenda moved toward the door.
Two detectives entered before she reached it.
“Brenda Lawson?” one of them asked.
She stopped.
“Yes.”
“We need to speak with you regarding the disappearance of an emerald necklace belonging to Margaret Whitmore.”
Margaret descended the staircase.
“That woman stole it.”
Brenda looked at her.
“You knew what I was doing.”
Margaret froze.
“I knew nothing.”
“You told me Mariana needed to be disgraced.”
“I never told you to steal from me.”
“You said the necklace would make the accusation believable.”
Andrew looked between them.
Margaret’s lips parted.
Brenda realized she had said too much.
The detectives exchanged glances.
“Mrs. Whitmore, we will need to speak with you as well.”
Margaret drew herself upright.
“I refuse.”
Helena entered behind them.
“You may want to reconsider.”
She held a tablet containing the mansion recordings.
Margaret watched herself speaking with Brenda two days before the accusation.
The audio was clear.
“I don’t care how you do it,” Margaret had said.
“Make Mariana look like a thief.”
“Once Andrew removes her, we will make sure you are rewarded.”
Margaret gripped the banister.
She had forgotten the camera.
The mansion remembered what she hoped everyone else would forget.
May you like
Andrew closed his eyes.
The accusation that began his victory had become evidence against his entire family.
