Chapter 7 - The Founders
Julian contacted the trust attorney.
The original contributors had included violinists, piano teachers, cooks, gardeners, housekeepers and stoneworkers.
Their descendants were scattered across the country.
Many had no idea their families held rights in the mansion.
The trust’s records showed why.
Victoria’s father had redirected every notice to a private office controlled by the Harrington family.
For decades, annual meetings occurred without the actual beneficiaries.
The Harringtons voted using unclaimed proxies.
The trust attorney confirmed the fraud.
The old-money family had not merely stolen charitable funds.
It had governed employee property by pretending the employees could not be found.
Victoria looked toward the guests.
“This will destroy a historic institution.”
Elena glanced at the servers standing silently beside the walls.
“No.”
“It will change who the institution remembers.”
The trust’s emergency clause suspended Victoria as mansion chair.
Her private suite was placed under audit.
The diamond necklace became restitution property.
The auction proceeds froze.
Employee wages remained fully protected.
No server, musician or caterer would lose pay because the wealthy trustees had committed fraud.
Victoria’s voice sharpened.
“You cannot remove my family from its own home.”
Julian answered:
“This is not legally your family’s home.”
It belonged to the Founders’ Arts Trust.
Elena received temporary authority as Sofia’s heir, but she refused personal control.
She requested an emergency beneficiary election.
Victoria stared at her.
“You finally have power, and you are handing it to servants?”
Elena looked at the broken bow.
“I am handing it to owners.”
Then the attorney revealed that one founder still held enough shares to block the transfer.
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The identity was sealed.
Only Victoria knew the name.
