Chapter 3 - The Family Trap
Godfrey’s ears perked up instantly, his eyes darting back and forth like a gambler watching a roulette wheel. "What kind of binding? Like a partnership contract?"
"Better than a partnership," I said, keeping my gaze locked on my mother’s greedy expression. "A notarized family trust and estate consolidation. Since I've been living abroad and dealing with complex international tax laws regarding the settlement funds, my Canadian legal advisors recommended that any major lump-sum transfer within the family must be placed under a unified local title. That way, the assets are completely protected from retroactive medical liens, creditors, or external claims—especially concerning Phedra's ongoing hospital debts."
Phedra looked up from my shoulder, her hollow eyes widening in confusion. She knew as well as I did that I didn't have Canadian tax lawyers advising me on anything of the sort. But she stayed silent, sensing the razor-sharp edge in my voice.
Selina didn't care about legal technicalities; she only heard the magic words protected assets and unified title. To her, this meant the million dollars would legally pass through her hands, cementing her control over the household once and for all.
"Of course! That's brilliant!" Selina exclaimed, nodding vigorously, her hummingbird pendant bouncing against her chest. "The hospital bills alone would eat up half the settlement if those vultures get wind of it! We need to shield the money immediately! When can we sign the papers?"
"I have a colleague—an independent paralegal and notary public I met during my settlement proceedings—driving down from the city tomorrow morning," I lied smoothly, watching how easily they swallowed the bait. "He’ll bring the preliminary draft. But to qualify for the immediate asset transfer and the lump-sum family distribution bonus, there's one strict condition mandated by the trust agreement."
Godfrey frowned slightly, the first flicker of caution finally crossing his face. "Condition? What kind of condition?"
"To prove that everyone in this household is fully invested in our shared future, and to wipe the slate clean of all past grievances regarding household management, maintenance costs, and living expenses," I said, stepping forward and looking each of them dead in the eye, "we need to execute a complete public accounting and sign mutual waivers of past liability. Every single asset purchased with household funds over the last four years—including the auto shop, the SUV, the home renovations, and all personal jewelry—must be temporarily deeded back into the central holding trust for tax re-evaluation. Once the trust is officially established tomorrow afternoon at noon, I will disburse individual hundred-thousand-dollar stipends to each of you."
A hundred thousand dollars cash, tax-free, just for signing over temporary title to their shiny new toys.
To people driven entirely by greed, the condition wasn't a warning sign; it was just a small administrative hurdle standing between them and a mountain of cash. Godfrey let out a loud, breathless laugh, rubbing his hands together.
"A hundred grand? Cash? Just like that?" Godfrey grinned, looking at Selina. "Mom, are you hearing this? That's enough to clear my shop's inventory debt twice over!"
Selina didn't hesitate for a single second. Her desire to control the entire million-dollar fortune completely blinded her to any hidden traps. "We'll sign whatever papers your lawyer brings tomorrow morning. Won't we, Godfrey?"
May you like
"Hell yeah, we will," Godfrey agreed eagerly.
I gave them a cold, humorless smile. "Good. Because by tomorrow afternoon, every single lie you've built your comfortable little life on is going to be repossessed by the very system you tried to cheat."
