Thomas had left Jared a valuable, mortgage-free apartment.
But Jared had used it almost immediately as collateral for a risky financial obligation connected to the resort.
He had turned his inheritance into leverage.
And then he’d expected me to rescue him when the payments became overwhelming.
Eleanor looked at me across her desk.
“Leah, I think you should prepare yourself.
There may be criminal allegations against people involved in these transactions.”
I folded my hands.
“Even Jared?”
“Potentially.”
I looked down.
“What am I supposed to do?”
Eleanor’s expression softened.
“Tell the truth.
Protect your property.
Let the investigation establish responsibility.”
I wiped away a tear.
“He’s my only child.”
“I know.”
“He used to be such a good boy.”
Eleanor sat quietly.
Then she said something I have never forgotten.
“Sometimes the most painful thing a parent can learn is that the child they loved has grown into an adult who made choices they would never have taught them to make.”
