Daniel went pale.
I had never told him.
He thought it was worth perhaps eight hundred thousand.
The neighborhood had changed dramatically.
A development company had quietly purchased adjoining parcels.
My corner property was the final piece needed for a commercial redevelopment project.
That was why Daniel suddenly became so interested in selling.
But there was another detail.
One Daniel didn’t know.
Vanessa did.
“Silver Pines has an agreement with Bridgemont Residential Holdings,” I said. “If guardianship is granted and my property is sold, Bridgemont has a private purchase option.”
Judge Mercer looked at Vanessa.
“For how much?”
I answered.
“$925,000.”
Daniel actually stood.
“What?”
The deputy ordered him to sit.
His face was red.
He stared at Vanessa.
“You told me we could sell it for eight fifty.”
She whispered, “Sit down.”
“You knew it was worth almost two million?”
Vanessa said nothing.
“You were going to sell Mom’s house for half its value?”
Still nothing.
Then Daniel understood.
“You were getting paid.”
Vanessa finally looked at him.
And in that moment, the marriage between them ended.
They simply hadn’t filed the paperwork yet.
PART 5 — THE PERSON BEHIND THE PLAN
Judge Mercer asked the obvious question.
“What was Mrs. Vance going to receive?”
