I looked at my son.
He was crying now.
Naomi continued.
“Three months ago I discovered Vanessa had approached a company about obtaining guardianship over you after my death.”
The courtroom erupted in whispers.
Judge Mercer ordered silence.
Naomi kept reading.
“She believed you would resist selling the house. She was correct.”
A tear ran down my cheek.
“Do not blame yourself for trusting her. I did too.”
Vanessa stared at the floor.
“I canceled the trust. I will not use our life savings to rescue people preparing to betray you.”
Daniel covered his face.
Then Naomi reached the final paragraph.
And the entire case changed again.
“There is something else you must know. I gave Vanessa false information.”
I opened my eyes.
“What false information?”
Naomi read:
“I told her the house would become yours outright after my death.”
I frowned.
It already was ours jointly.
Then Naomi continued.
“That is not true.”
Daniel looked up.
Vanessa’s head snapped toward me.
“The property was transferred six months ago into the Eleanor Vance Preservation Trust.”
My mouth fell open.
I had never heard of it.
Naomi continued.
“You are the sole lifetime beneficiary. No guardian, heir, creditor, spouse or family member may sell, mortgage or transfer the property without approval from the independent trustee.”
