Chapter 3 - Monday Morning
Daniel and Claire were scheduled to leave for Europe on Monday.
Margaret had planned for Lily to leave Chicago first.
The school was located six hundred miles away and operated year-round. Holiday visits required approval from the legal guardian named in the enrollment agreement.
Daniel opened the final page.
Claire’s name appeared beside his.
“I am not her co-guardian.”
Margaret answered calmly.
“You will be after the ceremony.”
Daniel’s face changed.
A marital guardianship amendment had been included with the prenuptial documents he signed the previous night.
Claire would receive temporary authority over Lily immediately after the vows.
Daniel looked at his bride.
“Did you sign this?”
Claire hesitated.
“I signed an emergency-care form.”
“This is not emergency care.”
Margaret stepped closer.
“Lily needs stability.”
“She has a home.”
“She has a room inside your home.”
Once again, belonging was reduced to square footage.
Maya felt Lily tighten in her arms.
Daniel turned to the final attachment.
The residential school was owned by the Whitmore Educational Foundation.
Margaret chaired its board.
Claire’s father controlled its financial trust.
If Lily became a residential student, the foundation could exercise temporary control over any assets assigned for her support.
Daniel looked at Margaret.
“What assets?”
She said nothing.
Lily’s late mother had owned thirty-eight percent of Lakeshore Grand Hotels.
That included the Chicago property hosting the wedding.
The shares passed to Lily.
Daniel served only as trustee.
If Claire became co-guardian and transferred Lily to the Whitmore foundation’s care, Margaret’s family would gain control over the child’s vote.
The wedding was not merely adding Claire to Daniel’s family.
It was giving Margaret access to Lily’s inheritance.
Then the hotel manager examined the gold keycard.
May you like
It had opened the service records office forty minutes earlier.
The office containing Lily’s original trust file.
