The Perfect Grandmother
Chapter 04 - The Perfect Grandmother
Evelyn Bennett had always known how to appear generous.
She sent expensive birthday gifts.
She hosted Christmas dinners with silver place cards.
She donated to the boys' school and never forgot a teacher's name.
People loved her.
Claire had loved her too.
That was what made the betrayal so difficult to accept.
When the hearing resumed, Evelyn's attorney tried to separate her from Adrian's financial problems.
"Evelyn Bennett is not a party to her son's debts."
The judge agreed.
But Susan asked permission to question Evelyn about Richard's statement.
Evelyn took the witness chair.
Susan began gently.
"Did your husband establish a trust for your grandsons?"
"Yes."
"Did Adrian ever ask Richard for an early distribution?"
"I don't remember."
Susan held up an email.
"Would this refresh your memory?"
Evelyn glanced at it.
Her composure slipped.
The email was from Evelyn to Richard.
It read:
Adrian needs room to recover. The boys will inherit plenty. There is no reason to humiliate our son over temporary debt.
Claire felt sick.
Temporary debt.
More than a million dollars.
Susan continued.
"Did you know Adrian planned to seek primary custody?"
"He's their father."
"That wasn't my question."
Evelyn looked toward Adrian.
That single glance was enough.
Susan placed another document on the screen.
A message Evelyn had sent Adrian six months earlier.
Once you have the boys most of the week, the trust should cover the house. Then everything becomes manageable.
The courtroom went silent.
Claire looked at Adrian.
He stared at the table.
Evelyn had not merely supported the custody case.
She had calculated its value.
Owen suddenly stood.
"I want to go home."
Claire wrapped an arm around him.
The judge immediately ordered a recess.
As Claire led the boys out, Luke looked back at his father.
Adrian opened his mouth.
But Luke turned away.
May you like
For the first time, Claire saw something on Adrian's face more painful than fear.
He was beginning to understand that even if he won in court, he might already be losing his sons.
