The remaining funds were to be returned to the original investors wherever possible.
But the most important clause concerned the person responsible for administering the trust.
The name was not Margaret Hale.
It was Thomas Whitmore.
After his death, the responsibility had passed to Richard Whitmore.
Richard had never been told that the amendment existed.
The document also contained a handwritten note from Thomas.
If Margaret attempts to sell or transfer these assets without the beneficiaries’ consent, the sale must be reported to the relevant authorities.
Rebecca examined the document.
“If authentic, this gives us a strong basis to challenge the property transfers. But the signatures and chain of custody must be verified.”
Alexander nodded.
“We’ll submit everything.”
At that moment, Victoria received a message.
It contained an address and a single sentence.
Your mother wants to meet you alone.
Victoria showed the message to Emily.
“I need to hear what she has to say.”
“Don’t go alone,” Emily replied.
Victoria hesitated.
“She raised me. Whatever she has done, I need to understand why.”
Alexander arranged for their attorney to coordinate the meeting in a public location with appropriate precautions.
The following morning, Victoria met Margaret at a hotel restaurant.
Margaret looked exhausted.
“You found the amendment,” she said.
“Yes.”
“You have no idea what that document could do.”
“It could help restore the money to the people who lost it.”
Margaret gave a bitter laugh.
“Do you really believe the world works that way? Those investors made fortunes by taking risks. Some lost money. Some gained it. The only difference is that we were the ones caught in the middle.”
“You concealed my identity.”
“I protected you.”
“You used me to maintain your connection to the Whitmore family.”
Margaret’s eyes hardened.
