Chapter 3 - THE WOMAN WEARING MY SILK ROBE
Her name was Vanessa Price.
Thirty-two years old.
Former luxury real estate agent.
Current mistress of my husband.
And apparently the future owner of everything I'd inherited.
I learned the details the following morning.
Grace and I had spent the night at a small hotel under my maiden name.
I hadn't slept.
At seven, I called my attorney.
Margaret Ellis had handled my family's estate matters for fifteen years.
She answered on the second ring.
“Laura?”
“I need help.”
Her voice changed.
“What happened?”
I told her about Ethan.
Vanessa.
The documents.
The insurance conversation.
Margaret was silent for several seconds.
Then said:
“Do not sign anything.”
“I won't.”
“And don't return to the house alone.”
My stomach tightened.
“Margaret, how serious is this?”
She exhaled.
“Serious enough that I want you in my office immediately.”
Two hours later, I sat across from her.
She examined the photographs I'd taken of the documents.
Her expression grew darker with every page.
Finally, she looked up.
“Laura.”
I swallowed.
“What?”
“This isn't a routine financial restructuring.”
My hands went cold.
“What is it?”
She turned the document toward me.
“If you sign these authorizations, Ethan could gain control over assets that are currently protected under your family's trust arrangements.”
I stared.
“How much?”
Margaret hesitated.
May you like
Then answered.
“Potentially more than forty million dollars.”
