You assigned the repair costs to me.
You expected me to cover the legal expenses.
Then you planned to move us into your guesthouse.”
Diane’s eyes narrowed.
“That house needs work.”
“You told a contractor you expected to refinance after renovating it.”
Her mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
Mark’s boss shifted in his chair.
“Mark,” he said carefully, “you told me Sloane had already approved the sale.”
Every head turned toward him.
Mark swallowed.
“I said she was going to approve it.”
“No,” his boss replied.
“You said the closing was certain.”
Diane shot him a cold look.
“This is a family matter.”
“You invited me,” he said.
That sentence changed the room.
Diane had wanted witnesses when she believed the witnesses would pressure me.
Now each one of them had become proof of what she had tried to do.
Mark closed the folder again and pushed it toward me.
“Fine,” he said.
“You made your point.”
“No.
My attorney made the first point.”
I reached into my handbag and removed my phone.
Diane’s face tightened.
“What are you doing?”
“Making sure everyone understands the second one.”
I tapped Evelyn’s name.
She answered before the second ring.
“Sloane?”
“You’re on speaker,” I said.
“Mark has opened the folder.”
Diane lunged one step toward the table.
“You called a lawyer during dinner?”
“I called her before dinner.
She knew what time your announcement was scheduled.”
Mark stared at me.
“How did you know there would be an announcement?”
“Because you wrote that your mother wanted one.”
His face went pale again.
Evelyn’s voice came through the speaker, even and professional.
“Mr.
Bennett, have you reviewed the notice?”
Mark looked at the phone as though refusing to answer might erase everyone listening.
“Yes.”
“Then you understand that you have no authority to execute documents, request funds, order repairs, arrange financing, or communicate with third parties on Mrs.
Bennett’s behalf regarding the property.”
Diane crossed her arms.
“This is intimidation.”
“No,” Evelyn said.
“It is notice.”
Robert leaned toward the phone.
“We have a signed agreement.”
