Chapter 2 - THE DEED IN EMMA’S NAME.
Alexander recognized his electronic signature on the deed transferring Hawthorne Mansion into Emma’s name.
“I never signed this.”
Victoria claimed he approved a routine estate plan while Claire was hospitalized. The attached papers described Claire as unstable and Emma as too young to manage property, leaving Victoria as guardian of both.
Claire stared at Alexander.
“You signed documents after they told you I abandoned you.”
He did not hide behind deception.
“I had attorneys. You had a locked room. My carelessness gave her power.”
The original deed showed Claire’s mother, Rosa Bennett, had purchased the mansion’s mortgage during the family’s bankruptcy. Rosa had worked in its laundry for thirty years and used an unpaid-wage settlement to save the estate.
Victoria laughed bitterly. “A servant paid a debt. That did not make her family.”
Emma answered through tears, “Then why did you live in her house?”
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A second document showed Victoria had scheduled Emma’s competency hearing for the next morning.
The doctor named on it had already declared Claire mentally unfit.
