Chapter 5 - THE FATHER WHO HEARD HER BEGGING.
Daniel admitted entering the cellar but denied imprisoning anyone.
He said Richard told him Margaret had become paranoid and Rebecca was a trespasser threatening Clara.
Rebecca’s voice broke.
“You saw me behind that door.”
“I saw a shadow,” Daniel said.
“You heard me say your daughter’s name.”
The room fell silent.
Daniel had chosen the explanation that preserved his inheritance and marriage. He surrendered his trustee vote and asked the court to examine his role.
Victoria turned on him.
“You are letting servants tear apart this family.”
Clara answered before he could.
“They are people. You only call them servants when you want them quiet.”
The security footage showed Daniel placing unsigned sale papers near Margaret, then leaving after she refused.
Richard remained and brought in a doctor.
That doctor later declared Margaret incompetent.
The physician was Dr. Elaine Foster, who ran a luxury memory clinic partly owned by Victoria.
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Her clinic had evaluated twenty-seven low-income homeowners before their properties transferred to Hawthorne affiliates.
One file belonged to Mr. Hale’s late wife.
