Part 2
Mr. Halden continued, each word striking like a nail driven into polished wood.
“I leave all my personal assets, including my shares in ValeTech Holdings, my life insurance payout, my private savings, and the property at Lake Arden, to my mother, Margaret Ellis, to manage through the Ellis Family Trust.”
Evan went pale.
Celeste’s fingers slipped from his arm.
“That’s impossible,” Evan said. His voice cracked on the last word. “Emma didn’t own shares. I gave her an allowance.”
Mr. Halden looked at him over his glasses.
“Your wife owned twelve percent of ValeTech Holdings. Transferred to her by your father before his death. Properly registered. Properly witnessed.”
The church seemed to inhale.
Evan’s jaw tightened.
“That old man was senile.”
“No,” I said quietly.
Everyone turned toward me.
I had not spoken since Emma died. Not to reporters. Not to Evan. Not even to the priest.
I raised my eyes.
“Your father was afraid of you.”
