Chapter 7 - The Jewelry Box Was Evidence
The jewelry box had belonged to Caroline.
That explained why Diane kept it.
After Caroline died, Diane collected several personal belongings from
the mansion.
Among them was the box.
Margaret believed Matthew had placed the deed and letter inside it
because Caroline knew where it was.
But Caroline died unexpectedly before delivering the documents.
Diane found them afterward.
She could have called Ryan.
She did not.
She removed the trust documents from the estate packet.
Kept the originals.
And continued treating the mansion as if Caroline had owned it.
Diane finally admitted finding the papers.
“I thought Matthew had changed his mind later.”
Ryan stared at her.
“So you hid the only documents that proved otherwise?”
“I was protecting my sister’s wishes.”
“Caroline’s wishes did not override Mom’s trust.”
Diane’s face twisted.
“You were never here.”
Ryan absorbed that.
There it was.
The emotional excuse beneath the legal theft.
He had moved away.
Built a career.
May you like
Visited less.
Diane had converted absence into ownership.
