Chapter 2 – Brooke Finally Speaks
Brooke could barely meet Grace's eyes.
Mascara streaked down her face.
"I'm sorry."
Grace remained silent.
Brooke reached into her purse and placed a flash drive on the table.
"I notarized those papers..."
Vanessa smiled again.
"...because they threatened my little brother."
The room froze.
Brooke continued.
"Mason found out my brother owed gambling debts."
"He said if I refused, he'd ruin him."
She looked directly at the detectives.
"I secretly copied everything."
The lead detective accepted the flash drive.
"It contains every phone call."
"Every fake signature."
"Every bank transfer."
"And recordings of Vanessa explaining the entire plan."
Mason's face lost all color.
Vanessa spun toward Brooke.
"You stupid—"
"Enough."
The detective held up a hand.
Within minutes a laptop was connected to the venue's projector.
The first recording filled the barn.
Vanessa's voice.
Crystal clear.
"Once Grace signs, the orchard becomes ours. Noah gets his debt erased, Brooke gets blamed if anything goes wrong."
Every guest heard it.
Nobody moved.
May you like
Grace simply closed her eyes.
Her own sister had never intended to leave her anything.
