Chapter 7 - Simone's Will
Simone had anticipated Louise.
That became obvious when her will was opened.
Her attorney in Baltimore joined the probate conference by video.
His name was Raymond Clarke.
He had represented Simone for six years.
He looked directly at Amara through the screen.
“She spoke about you often.”
Amara swallowed.
“Good things?”
Raymond smiled sadly.
“Eventually.”
That almost made her laugh.
The will itself was straightforward.
Simone left personal property and financial accounts to Imani through a trust.
She named Dana as temporary caregiver if she died before Imani reached adulthood.
For long-term guardianship, she requested Amara be given first consideration if Amara was willing.
Louise was explicitly excluded.
The language was blunt.
My mother, Louise Carter, should not serve as guardian, trustee, conservator, custodian, financial representative, or fiduciary for my daughter.
Amara stared at the screen.
Louise knew.
Simone had not merely distrusted her.
She had prepared for her.
Raymond continued.
“There is also a memorandum.”
“What kind?”
“Personal instructions.”
He read aloud.
If Amara agrees to care for Imani, tell her I am sorry I waited too long to understand what happened between us. Louise built the original lie, but I helped it survive by being too proud to test it.
Amara looked away.
Tears came anyway.
Raymond gave her a moment.
Then he continued.
Simone had preserved copies of financial records she believed proved her Carter Development ownership had been stolen.
She intended Imani's trust to pursue the claim.
“Where are those records?” Amara asked.
“Some were delivered with Imani.”
Dana frowned.
“No. I only had the envelope.”
Imani entered quietly from the hallway.
“Grandma took a red folder.”
Everyone turned.
“When?”
“The first day.”
Dana stared.
“You didn't tell me.”
“I thought it was just papers.”
Amara knelt.
“What did the folder look like?”
“Dark red. Mom wrote ‘Carter' on it.”
“What was inside?”
“Copies. Bank papers. A letter from Grandpa Walter.”
Raymond's expression sharpened.
“Those are the documents Simone sent me copies of.”
“Do you still have them?”
“Digital scans, yes.”
Relief moved through the room.
Louise could steal paper.
She could not erase everything.
Raymond sent the files securely to Amara's attorney and investigators.
The evidence included a handwriting analysis Simone commissioned two years earlier.
The expert concluded the signature on the share renunciation was “highly inconsistent” with verified Simone signatures.
There were also bank records showing Simone never received the claimed purchase price.
And emails Simone had exchanged with Arthur Bell.
One message was devastating.
Simone wrote:
Arthur, I did not sign the transfer agreement you sent me. Stop representing to the company that I sold my shares.
Arthur replied:
Your concerns should be directed to Louise. The family settlement has been completed.
Simone answered:
Then you completed it without me.
Amara read the exchange.
“That is proof.”
Her attorney, Maya Reynolds, was more careful.
“It is strong evidence.”
“Why are lawyers allergic to certainty?”
“Because certainty gets expensive.”
Despite herself, Amara smiled.
Maya explained the legal paths.
They would contest Louise's guardianship petition.
Request temporary guardianship for Amara consistent with Simone's will.
Seek independent counsel for Imani's financial interests.
And separately file civil claims regarding Simone's company shares.
The state investigation would determine whether criminal charges were appropriate.
“What about Louise locking them downstairs?”
“That's separate.”
“Everything is separate to lawyers.”
“Until it isn't.”
The temporary guardianship hearing was scheduled for the following week.
Louise arrived in court with Arthur Bell.
She wore charcoal gray.
Calm.
Respectable.
The judge reviewed the emergency facts.
Louise's attorney argued that the basement incident had been exaggerated.
Maya presented photographs.
The mattress.
Locked door.
Food.
Two children’s statements.
Then Raymond testified about Simone's will.
Louise's expression remained controlled until he read the clause excluding her from any fiduciary role.
The judge looked directly at Louise.
“Were you aware your daughter had made this request?”
“No.”
Raymond spoke from the witness chair.
“I sent Louise a certified copy after Simone's death.”
Louise's lawyer objected.
Raymond produced the delivery receipt.
Signed:
L. Carter.
The courtroom went still.
The judge looked at Louise again.
“Mrs. Carter?”
Louise said nothing.
Her credibility cracked visibly.
The court denied Louise's temporary guardianship request.
Amara was granted temporary guardianship subject to home evaluation and continued review, with Dana maintaining regular access.
Imani was assigned her own guardian ad litem.
When the judge announced the decision, Imani squeezed Amara's hand.
Louise watched from across the courtroom.
Her face remained composed.
But Amara knew that look.
Louise was not finished.
Outside, reporters had begun gathering.
Somebody had leaked the ownership dispute.
A journalist shouted:
“Mrs. Carter! Did you steal your daughter's company shares?”
Louise ignored him.
Another shouted:
“Is your granddaughter worth more than twenty million dollars?”
Amara stopped.
Twenty million?
Maya grabbed her arm.
“Keep walking.”
Inside the car, Amara turned.
“Twenty million?”
Maya nodded grimly.
“Carter Development's latest valuation puts Simone's forty percent around twenty-three million.”
Amara stared through the window.
Louise hadn't locked Imani in a basement over a few family papers.
She had been protecting control of a fortune.
And if Simone's shares returned to Imani—
May you like
Louise would lose more than money.
She would lose the company.
