Chapter 7 - The Page That Had Never Been Printed
Judith arrived at the Fenwick Grand carrying an old canvas briefcase, not a designer purse. Nina met her with Celeste and the foundation's outside counsel, Priya Shah. No one wanted another private encounter that could be twisted into an accusation.
Judith spread out Evelyn's trust documents in a conference room. Schedule B named Harbor House as a protected community asset. Selling it required documented approval from independent trustees and a replacement facility with comparable services.
"No replacement exists," Nina said.
"Exactly," Judith answered. "And I never voted."
Priya compared the dated minutes with the hotel's altered gala program. "These records don't authorize a transfer. We need to notify the title company and seek an emergency hold if somebody is trying to close."
Brandon arrived halfway through the meeting. He looked as if he had not slept. "Nicole says the center will reopen in a better neighborhood."
"Where?" Alma asked over speakerphone.
He had no answer.
Nina called Devon Shaw, a friend at the print shop that produced the programs. Devon confirmed that Nicole's office had requested a replacement run less than six hours before the gala. The reprint reduced the announced Harbor House grant and removed Judith from the guest list.
"I've got the order email and the proofs," Devon said. "I'm sending them to your attorney, not to social media."
When the files arrived, Priya found a note attached to the revision: KEEP THE OLD VERSION OFF THE FLOOR.
Nina recognized the initials approving the note. They belonged to Nicole.
Brandon stared at the screen. "She told me Nina was distributing a fake copy."
"You believed that without asking me," Nina said.
"Yes." He faced her. "I did."
It was his first honest admission.
Priya received a call and walked to the window to answer. When she returned, her expression had changed.
"The closing agent has a package scheduled for Friday morning," she said. "Someone submitted an affidavit that Judith's objections were withdrawn."
Judith pushed back her chair. "That's a lie."
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Priya looked down at the name of the person who signed the affidavit.
It was Sebastian Rowan.
