Celeste nodded slowly.
“Yes.”
I looked at her.
“Then go to the authorities.”
Her expression twisted.
“You don’t understand.
Richard has kept the company finances separate from me for years.
I knew things were bad, but I didn’t know how bad until recently.”
She pushed the folder toward me.
“Vanessa found this.”
I opened it.
The first pages contained bank statements, investment schedules, and internal messages.
Then I saw a memorandum bearing Jared’s name.
The date was before Thomas’s death.
Its title was:
FAMILY ESTATE TRANSITION — ACCESS CONTROL
I felt sick.
Celeste spoke quietly.
“Jared told Richard that once Thomas died, you would be willing to negotiate.”
I stared at the document.
“He knew Thomas had refused.”
“Yes.”
“Then why would he think I’d agree?”
Celeste didn’t answer.
I turned the page.
There, in black and white, was the explanation.
A proposed strategy to create financial and emotional pressure after Thomas’s death.
