Alyssa appeared confused.
“What do you mean?”
Mr. Bennett opened another file.
“Here
are the financial statements.”
He placed them on the table.
“William discovered that Vivian was moving money out of the family accounts.”
Vivian stiffened.
” How much ? “
Alyssa asked.
Mr. Bennett looked at her.
“Over the past seven years?”
He paused.
“Approximately two million dollars.”
Alyssa stared at her mother.
” What ? “
“I needed security.”
“Did you steal from Dad?”
“I borrowed it.”
“You transferred two million dollars to accounts I knew nothing about.”
Vivian began to cry.
“I was protecting you.”
” What ? “
“To lose everything.”
Alyssa looked at the probate documents.
” All ? “
Mr. Bennett shook his head.
“That’s ironic.”
He opened the last page.
“Mr. Harper had anticipated this.”
He looked at me.
“Your father left the house to Vivian.”
Vivian’s head jerked up abruptly.
” What ? “
“The primary residence.”
She stared at him.
“He left it to me.”
His face changed.
For the first time this afternoon, she seemed relieved.
Then
Mr. Bennett continued.
“Subject to mortgage, taxes, and maintenance.”
His relief vanished.
” And ? “
“He left Alyssa a modest trust.”
Alyssa lowered her eyes.
“And Candace?”
Mr. Bennett turned towards me.
“Candace received the majority of the inheritance.”
Vivian closed her eyes.
” How much ? “
Mr. Bennett opened the statement.
“The total value of the assets held in trust is approximately twelve million eight hundred thousand dollars.”
Silence.
I couldn’t speak.
Twelve million dollars.
The figure barely registered.
After everything I had just learned, money seemed strangely insignificant.
