Chapter 9 - The Financial Ledger
Darlene sank slowly onto one of the wooden kitchen stools, her hands covering her face as dry, racking sobs finally shook her frail frame. It wasn't the crying of repentance; it was the fury of a tyrant realizing her empire had crumbled beyond repair.
Trent burst through the back door a moment later, looking frantic and disheveled, having received a frantic text from his mother.
“What is going on here? Why are you terrorizing her?!” Trent yelled, pointing a finger at Wade.
“Check the folders, Trent,” Wade said coldly, sliding the financial ledgers across the counter toward his brother. “Your mother used your kids' names to siphon money out of Blythe’s legal trust. If we don't file amended paperwork with the probate court by Monday morning, this house goes into receivership to pay back the damages.”
Trent grabbed the papers, his eyes scanning the numbers. As the reality of what his mother had done sank in, the righteous anger drained out of his face, replaced by absolute horror.
“Mom...” Trent whispered, looking up at her. “Tell me this isn't true. Tell me you didn't use my kids as cover to steal from a little girl.”
Darlene didn't answer. She just stared at the linoleum floor, rocking back and forth in silence.
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Harold pulled a pre-drafted legal document out of his worn leather satchel and laid it on the counter alongside a pen.
“Sign over the remaining administration rights of the trust to Wade and Corinne, Darlene,” Harold said, his voice flat and unyielding. “And sign the deed transferring the north pasture acreage to Blythe’s college fund as restitution. Do that today, and we won't press criminal charges. Refuse, and I’ll personally drive to the county courthouse to file the paperwork myself.”
