Chapter 6 - Unraveling the Lie
A wave of shocked whispers rippled through the crowd of high-society guests.
Grant took a step toward Arthur, his posture aggressive. "This is private property, Arthur! You're trespassing! Officers, arrest this man!"
Deputy Miller didn't budge. "Stand down, Grant. Mr. Vance is acting under a court order."
Richard Harrison’s eyes narrowed sharply as he looked at Grant. "Grant, what is he talking about? You showed me the joint-tenancy deed three weeks ago!"
"It's a forgery, Mr. Harrison," I said, turning to face the developer directly. "My husband and his mother forged my signature on a fraudulent transfer document. Fernwick was purchased solely by me six years before I ever met Grant. There is no joint tenancy. There is no LLC. And the land you are currently standing on is protected under a federal agricultural conservation easement."
Grant slammed his fist on the wooden table. "She's lying! She's mentally unstable! I paid for this estate!"
"Really, Grant?" I pulled a stapled stack of bank records from under the tray. "This is the financial audit of Fernwick from the past six years. Every tax payment, every restoration grant, every repair bill was paid directly from my personal business account, Vance Architectural Design. In fact, according to these audited statements, you owe the estate over $140,000 in personal expenses that you charged to the estate's maintenance fund."
Lenora stepped forward, her voice rising in panic. "This is a domestic matter! It has nothing to do with the business lease! Mara signed those papers voluntarily!"
"Then why," Arthur asked, stepping up to the signing table and pointing to the lease draft, "did she sign using a name she hasn't used on a legal document in her entire adult life? And why did the county forensic document examiner just certify two hours ago that the ink on the transfer deed matches a pen found in your office, Grant?"
Harrison’s face turned thunderous. He looked at the contract, then at Grant’s sweating forehead, and finally at the sheriff.
"You tried to sell me contested land with a forged title?" Harrison barked at Grant. "Do you have any idea what Blackwood’s legal team will do to you for this?"
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"Mr. Harrison, wait! I can explain!" Grant pleaded, his cool composure completely collapsing. "It’s just a technicality! She’s my wife, her assets are my assets!"
"Not under state property law they aren't," Deputy Miller said, stepping forward with handcuffs clipped to his belt. "Grant Vance, you are under investigation for real estate fraud, forgery, and grand larceny."
