SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

ROSE'S POINT OF VIEW

The law office of Berkman, Wade, and Associates smelled of leather, money, and superiority. I adjusted my black dress and studied the others in the conference room. Mom dabbed at her eyes with a monogran All of us performing our assigned roles. The grieving family. The heartbroken ex-

husband. A perfect tableau of loss.

And why wouldn't we? Camille was dead. I knew that for certain. The men I'd hired hadn't just scared her as originally planned, they'd gone further, forcing her car off that bridge, watching it sink into the dark wa Martin Greene entered, carrying a leather portfolio. Dad's longtime lawyer looked appropriately grave as he took a Scal

"Thank you all for coming." he said. "With the court having legally declared Camille deceased in absentia, we can now proceed with her last will and testament."

"Is this really necessary?" Mom asked, voice wavering. "It's only been six months.”

"In cases of drowning where no body is

recovered, the court can grant a death certificate after reasonable search efforts have concluded," Martin explained.

"As Camille had significant independent assets that require disposition, the judge approved the declaration last week."

I kept my expression neutral, though my mind raced. Independent assets? What independent assets?

“།

wasn't aware my sister had estate planning," I said, injecting just the right note of confusion.

twenty-fifths

Martin opened his portfolio. "Camille updated her will last year, shortly after her As you may recall, that was when she received her inheritance from her grandfather."

My blood froze. Grandfather Lewis. Dad's father. The crusty old man who had doted on Camille, his only biological grandchild, while largely ignoring me.

"What inheritance?" I asked

sharply, then immediately softened my tone. "I mean, she never mentioned receiving anything substantial,"

Dad finally looked up. "My father left Camille a portion of his estate when she

turned twenty-five. It was private, between them."

"How large a portion?" The question escaped before I could temper it.

Martin cleared his throat. “Mr. Lewis Senior established a trust for Camille valued at approximately thirty million dollars, along with the Cedar Hill estate."

The room spun around me. Thirty million dollars. Plus a mansion on twenty acres of prime land. And she had never said a word.

"That's impossible," I whispered "I would have known."

"Camille wanted it kept quiet," Dad said. "She said money changes

how people see you."

is the last will and testament of Camille Elizabeth Lewis, revised and

fortune she'd hidden, it would surely come to her family now. To

collection of family photographs and my gratitude

Dad nodded stiffly. Mom's crying

leave my journal collection, in hopes she may come to understand me better

already taken and altered. A chill ran down

to his grandmother, with the hope that next time he gives it, it

pride, a family heirloom that

estate, and the entire balance of the trust established by my gra Here it was.

for Abused and Abandoned Children, to establish the Camille Lewis Memorial Fund for the education and support of girls in th The silence that followed was

my voice unnaturally high, "but

glanced up. "The entirety of Camille's estate, after specific bequests, is to be

possible." The words burst from me. "There must be some

Lewis. The will is quite

"That's thirty million dollars and a prime piece of real estate. Going to complete strangers. While her

photographs and... and

withdrew an envelope. "She also left a letter to

his permission,

on the envelope

now learning something I kept from all of you, that Grandfather

share this information, partly because I was still deciding how best to use such an unexpected blessing, but mostly because I needed to understand its

"The money gave me

outside of other people's expectations and manipulations. Freedom to make choices based on my own values rather than seeking approv My gaze flicked to Stefan, who looked physically ill. Had he known about the money when he

transitioning from foster c my parents, thank you

Mom resumed

returned your

but because family legacies should continue

"And

blood, I leave my journals with hope rather than malice. In

me to be

choice if not

illusions that my

but I believe it can transform the futures of dozens of young women who

silence felt charged with my

Gone. To strangers. To foster girls who would never appreciate it

said. "She

Martin raised

eyebrow. "The will was properly

charitable intent is quite

my parents for support. "Doesn't that count for

right to dispose of her property as she wished,"

"We could

turning to

"Rose, enough. Camille made her

But Dad..."

enough. My daughter is dead. I won't dishonor her memory by fighting over money none of us need." Mom

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