Chapter 7: The Lawyer Who Betrayed His Client
Robert read Thomas's message three times.
His inherited property.
A transfer application.
His name already on it.
He slowly lowered the phone.
Marcus stood beside him, waiting for an explanation.
“Dad?””
Robert handed him the phone.
Marcus read the message, then looked up.
“Thomas is involved?””
“I don't know.””
“But he just told you someone submitted a transfer application.””
“Yes.””
“And Vanessa said he was the buyer's attorney.””
Robert rubbed his forehead.
“Thomas has handled our family documents for twenty years. He helped your mother write her will. He handled your grandfather's estate. He was at your wedding.””
“Then why would he do this?””
“I don't know, son. But I'm going to find out.””
Evelyn stood near the dining table, her face pale.
“Robert, perhaps we should wait until morning.””
Robert turned toward her.
“Someone is trying to steal two properties from me. I don't think waiting is a good idea.””
He immediately called Thomas.
The lawyer answered on the first ring.
“Robert, thank goodness. I've been trying to reach you.””
“Tell me exactly what is happening.””
Thomas exhaled.
“Someone submitted documents to the county property office claiming you authorized the transfer of your inherited land.””
“I didn't.””
“I know. That's why I contacted you.””
“Who submitted them?””
There was a pause.
“An attorney named Richard Cole.””
Robert frowned.
“Never heard of him.””
“He represents a private investment company called Westbridge Holdings.””
Marcus quickly searched the name on his phone.
“Dad, Westbridge Holdings is a property development company.””
Robert ignored the interruption.
“Thomas, why did Vanessa say you were the buyer's attorney?””
“I don't represent Westbridge. I was contacted by their attorney yesterday because they wanted me to verify your ownership records.””
“Did you?””
“No. I refused. Something about their documents didn't look right.””
Robert gripped the phone.
“What didn't look right?””
“The signature on the authorization. It was supposedly witnessed by a notary three months ago. But the notary's registration number belongs to someone who died last year.””
Marcus stared at his father.
“Someone is using a dead notary's identity?””
Thomas continued.
“There's more. The transfer application includes a copy of your identification, your property deed, and a power of attorney.””
Robert felt sick.
“Who gave them those documents?””
“I suspect someone with access to your personal files.””
Robert glanced toward Evelyn.
She lowered her eyes.
“Thomas, I need you here tomorrow morning. Bring everything.””
“I'll be there. But Robert, there's something else.””
“What?””
“The application lists a beneficiary.””
“Who?””
Thomas hesitated.
“Vanessa Williams.””
Marcus took a step backward.
Robert closed his eyes.
There it was.
The entire scheme had finally acquired a name.
“Thank you, Thomas.””
He ended the call.
Marcus immediately began pacing.
“She was trying to take Grandpa's property too?””
Robert nodded.
“But why would she need both properties?””
Marcus looked down at his phone.
“I'll find out.””
He began searching through Vanessa's emails, messages, and financial records on the family tablet they had shared.
After several minutes, he stopped.
“Dad.””
“What?””
“You need to see this.””
Marcus turned the screen around.
An email conversation was open.
The sender was Richard Cole.
The subject line read: PROPERTY ACQUISITION — FINAL DOCUMENTATION.
Marcus scrolled.
There were several attachments, including photographs of Robert's properties.
But it was the last email that made his hands shake.
Vanessa had written:
Once the second property is transferred, Robert will have no legal leverage. My husband will support the arrangement once he understands how much money is involved.
Richard's response was short.
The buyer expects the transfer completed before the end of the month. Your compensation will be released immediately afterward.
Marcus looked at his father.
“She was selling your land.””
Robert stared at the screen.
“How much?””
Marcus opened the attached offer.
The proposed purchase price was $1.4 million.
But the estimated market value was nearly $2.6 million.
Robert slowly sat down.
“She was going to sell it for less than half its value?””
Marcus scrolled further.
Then his expression changed.
“Dad, there's another name.””
Robert leaned closer.
At the bottom of the document was a second beneficiary.
Evelyn Williams.
Evelyn gasped.
“What?””
Marcus looked at her.
“Your name is here.””
She stepped toward the tablet.
“No. That can't be right.””
Robert stared at his wife.
“Did Vanessa promise you money?””
Evelyn shook her head.
“She said the development company would pay a small consulting fee for helping organize the paperwork.””
“How much?””
“Fifty thousand dollars.””
Marcus looked horrified.
“You accepted money to help sell Grandpa's property?””
“I didn't know they were stealing it!””
“You knew Dad hadn't agreed!””
Evelyn burst into tears.
“I thought he would eventually accept it. Vanessa said the land was useless, and the money could help you start over.””
Robert looked at her for a long moment.
“Your son already had a life. Your son already had a home. We were not entitled to steal my inheritance to make his life easier.””
Evelyn lowered her head.
“I made a terrible mistake.””
Robert didn't answer.
His phone vibrated again.
This time, it was a message from an unknown number.
*You have until tomorrow morning to stop investigating. Otherwise, your son will learn what happened at the construction site last year.*
Marcus read it over his father's shoulder.
His expression changed instantly.
“What construction site?””
Robert looked at him.
“Marcus?””
His son slowly sat down.
For the first time that night, he looked more frightened than angry.
“Dad, I need to tell you something.””
Robert waited.
Marcus rubbed both hands over his face.
“Last year, one of my workers was seriously injured at a job site. There was an investigation. I thought everything had been settled.””
“Was the worker compensated?””
“Yes.””
“Then what's the problem?””
Marcus swallowed.
“The company responsible for the safety inspection had falsified some reports. I found out afterward.””
Robert frowned.
“Did you report it?””
Marcus shook his head.
“I was afraid the business would collapse. I signed a statement saying the safety checks had been completed.””
Robert stared at his son.
“Were they?””
“No.””
The room became painfully quiet.
Marcus continued.
“I didn't cause the accident, Dad. But I signed something I knew wasn't true.””
Robert slowly stood.
“Marcus, you cannot build a future by hiding the truth about someone's injury.””
“I know.””
“And Vanessa knows about this?””
Marcus nodded.
“She helped me prepare the settlement documents.””
Robert looked toward the phone.
The threat made sense now.
Vanessa wasn't simply stealing his properties.
She was holding something over his son's head.
Suddenly, headlights swept across the living room windows.
A black SUV stopped outside.
Marcus looked through the curtains.
“Dad…”
“What?””
“That's Vanessa's car.””
The driver's door opened.
But Vanessa wasn't alone.
A tall man in a gray suit stepped out carrying a leather briefcase.
Robert recognized him immediately from the email photograph.
May you like
Richard Cole.
And he was walking straight toward their front door.
