Chapter 4: The Sale That Was Never Authorized
For several seconds, nobody in Thomas Whitmore's office spoke.
The notification on Richard's phone remained illuminated.
*PENDING PROPERTY TRANSFER — ELMA M. TALLEY.*
Beneath my name was a reference number, a filing date, and a scheduled recording time.
9:00 A.M.
Tomorrow morning.
I read it twice.
Then I looked at Richard.
“Can you tell whether this is a completed transfer or simply a filing request?””
Richard tapped the screen.
“It's a pending submission. The county hasn't finalized it.””
“Good.””
Kendall laughed.
“Why is everyone acting like this is some kind of disaster?””
Thomas turned toward her.
“Because someone is attempting to steal property from a woman who has spent twenty-seven years protecting this estate.””
Kendall shrugged.
“That's a little dramatic.””
“Get out of my office.””
She folded her arms.
“Ethan, are you seriously going to let him talk to me like that?””
Ethan looked uncomfortable.
“Grandfather, maybe we should all calm down.””
Thomas pointed his cane toward the door.
“Your girlfriend has admitted to participating in a fraudulent publicity campaign. Now she's standing in my office making jokes about an unauthorized property transfer. There is nothing left to discuss.””
Kendall rolled her eyes.
“Whatever. I'm leaving.””
But before she reached the door, I spoke.
“Kendall?””
She stopped.
“What?””
“Who prepared the transfer document?””
She smiled.
“Ask your lawyers.””
“Which lawyer?””
“I'm not your assistant.””
“Then perhaps you can tell me who paid you the twenty-five thousand dollars.””
Her smile vanished.
Ethan closed his eyes.
Thomas slowly turned toward his grandson.
“What twenty-five thousand dollars?””
Kendall glared at me.
“You've been reading private correspondence?””
“Your name was printed on a document in my presence.””
“That's confidential!””
“So is my signature, apparently. Yet someone has been using it without my permission.””
She snatched her phone from the desk.
“You people are unbelievable.””
Then she looked at Ethan.
“Come on. We're leaving.””
Ethan didn't move.
“Babe, now.””
“I need to talk to my grandfather.””
Kendall stared at him.
“Are you kidding me?””
“Just give me a minute.””
She laughed bitterly.
“Fine. Enjoy your little family meeting.””
She walked out and slammed the door.
Thomas remained standing.
“Ethan, I want you to explain everything.””
Ethan rubbed both hands over his face.
“Grandfather, Northstar approached me several months ago. They said the property was underperforming and that the family could make a lot of money by selling.””
“Who gave them our financial information?””
“I don't know.””
“Don't lie to me.””
Ethan looked at the floor.
“I shared some operating reports.””
Thomas's face tightened.
“Those reports were confidential.””
“They needed to understand the business.””
“And what did they offer you?””
Ethan hesitated.
“An executive position.””
“Salary?””
“Three hundred and fifty thousand annually.””
Richard let out a disbelieving breath.
Thomas looked as though someone had struck him.
“So you sold our family's future for a paycheck?””
“That's not fair.””
“What isn't fair?””
“You've never listened to me! Every time I suggested changes, you told me the vineyard had survived for generations and didn't need my ideas.””
Thomas gripped his cane.
“Because your ideas involved selling the land that your great-grandfather planted!””
Ethan raised his voice.
“The land is worth more than the wine!””
“And the people who work here?””
“They can find other jobs.””
Thomas stared at him.
I watched the old man's shoulders sink.
For years, he had treated Ethan as the future of the estate.
Now he was discovering that his grandson viewed the property as nothing more than a financial opportunity.
I placed my hand gently on Thomas's arm.
“Let him finish.””
Ethan looked at me.
“Thank you.””
I nodded.
“Tell us about the transfer.””
His expression changed.
“Northstar said they had a legal team handling everything. They showed me documents proving that your original agreement could be bought out.””
“By whom?””
“By the estate.””
I shook my head.
“My agreement doesn't permit that.””
“They said there was a clause.””
“There isn't.””
Ethan looked frustrated.
“That's what they told me.””
“Did you see the original agreement?””
“No.””
“Did you ask to?””
He didn't answer.
I leaned forward.
“Ethan, you are twenty-six years old. You were raised in a family business. You were taught to read contracts, question numbers, and protect what belongs to you. Yet you accepted a stranger's explanation because he promised you a large salary.””
His cheeks reddened.
“I didn't think anyone was being hurt.””
I looked at my bandaged hands.
“Someone was.””
He lowered his eyes.
Richard's phone rang.
He stepped into the hallway to answer it.
When he returned, his expression was grave.
“Thomas, the estate attorney is on his way. But there's another problem.””
“What now?””
“Northstar's representative has requested immediate confirmation of the transfer filing.””
Thomas frowned.
“Why would they do that?””
Richard looked at me.
“Because they're claiming the transaction has already been approved by Mrs. Talley.””
I slowly stood.
“Then we will correct that misunderstanding.””
Thomas reached for his phone.
“I'm calling the county recorder.””
“Not yet,” I said.
He stared at me.
“Why?””
“Because I want the complete submission first. I want to know exactly what they filed, who witnessed it, who prepared it, and who certified it.””
Richard nodded.
“I'll request the full record.””
“And Richard?””
“Yes?””
“Preserve every security recording from tonight. The dining terrace, the entrance, the parking area, and the office corridors.””
“Already instructed.””
“Good.””
Ethan stood.
“I should talk to Kendall.””
Thomas shook his head.
“Sit down.””
“I need to explain what happened.””
“You have done enough explaining.””
Ethan looked at me.
“Mrs. Talley, I swear I didn't forge your signature.””
I studied him.
“I didn't accuse you of forging it.””
“But you think I was involved.””
“I think you know more than you're telling us.””
He opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
His phone vibrated.
A message appeared on the screen.
I couldn't read the entire thing, but I saw the sender's name.
Kendall.
And the preview:
Delete everything. They have no idea about the second agreement.
I looked at Ethan.
He quickly turned the phone over.
Too quickly.
“Ethan,” I said quietly, “what second agreement?””
His face went white.
Thomas stepped forward.
“What second agreement?””
Ethan backed toward the desk.
“I don't know what she's talking about.””
Richard reached for the phone.
“Let me see that message.””
“No!””
The sudden outburst startled everyone.
Ethan grabbed his phone and slipped it into his pocket.
Thomas's voice became dangerously quiet.
“Give Richard your phone.””
“Grandfather, you can't do that.””
“Then unlock it voluntarily.””
Ethan looked from Thomas to me.
For the first time, I saw genuine fear in his eyes.
Not fear of losing money.
Fear of being exposed.
He finally pulled out the phone.
But before he could unlock it, another message appeared.
This one was from a number saved as NORTHSTAR LEGAL.
The second instrument must remain undisclosed until recording. Once the transfer is complete, Talley's consent rights will be extinguished.
I read the message over his shoulder.
Then I looked at Thomas.
“Richard,” I said, “call our attorney. Tell him we need an emergency injunction before nine tomorrow morning.””
Richard immediately stepped away.
Thomas sank into his chair.
May you like
And Ethan whispered four words that changed the entire situation.
“It's already been notarized.””
