Chapter 9 - WHY REBECCA STAYED SILENTDr. Hale did not reach the entrance.
Castle security stopped him near the staircase.
Police searched his coat.
Inside was a burner phone.
The recent call history showed seventeen conversations with Nathaniel.
One took place that afternoon from the terrace beside Snow’s conservatory.
The doctor was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy, document fraud, and evidence tampering.
Nathaniel was detained for questioning.
His attorney arrived before police removed him.
He said nothing else.
Rebecca remained in the dining hall.
She looked smaller without Nathaniel beside her.
Clara refused to sit near her.
“How long did you know?” she asked.
Rebecca stared at the birthday decorations.
“I knew about the power of attorney.”
“How long?”
“Three weeks.”
“You helped him say Grandmother was confused.”
“He told me it would remain private.”
“That makes it better?”
“No.”
“Did you know about the bottles?”
“No.”
“The doctor?”
“I knew Lawrence was preparing an evaluation.”
“Without examining her?”
Rebecca covered her face.
“I thought he would examine her tomorrow.”
“At a surprise party?”
“I didn’t ask enough questions.”
I stood near the cake.
“No. You avoided the answers.”
Rebecca looked at me.
Tears streaked her makeup.
“Nathaniel said the foundation would take everything.”
“The foundation is my decision.”
“Father wanted the castle to remain in the family.”
“Your father left the choice to me.”
“He assumed you would choose us.”
“Did he?”
She had no answer.
George loved his children.
He also knew wealth could deform affection.
That was why the trust included independent oversight.
Rebecca admitted copying my safe key while I was at a medical appointment.
She removed the draft will.
Nathaniel photographed it.
Then they returned everything.
He prepared a new power of attorney naming himself financial controller.
Rebecca signed as a witness.
“Did you see me sign?” I asked.
She shook her head.
“Then you knowingly witnessed a false signature.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Her answer was almost inaudible.
“I didn’t want to lose my home.”
“You own a home in Charleston.”
“This is the family home.”
“No. This is the building you wanted to possess.”
Rebecca began crying harder.
I did not comfort her.
Not yet.
She had spent weeks helping take away my legal identity.
She had described me as confused.
Signed a lie.
Allowed a physician to prepare false medical evidence.
Even if she did not know about the murder plan, she created the path toward it.
Silence can become assistance long before a person understands the final destination.
Detective Cross entered from the library.
“We searched the old document cabinet.”
Inside, police found two wills.
One genuine.
One forged.
The forged version left the castle, controlling company shares, and most liquid assets to Nathaniel.
It gave Rebecca a lifetime residence.
It left Clara almost nothing.
My granddaughter read the document.
Then she looked at her mother.
May you like
“You traded my inheritance for a room in the castle.”
Rebecca’s silence confirmed it.
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