Chapter 4 - The Master Plan
Over the next several months, I lived a double life.
To Colin and Jessica, I was still harmless, oblivious old Grandma Margaret. I wore my faded cardigan, clipped coupons from the Sunday paper, and endured Jessica's passive-aggressive insults over dinner.
"Margaret, you didn't salt the green beans enough," Jessica would remark, barely looking at me. "Honestly, your tastebuds must be completely shot."
"I'm sorry, dear," I would say softly, lowering my eyes. "I'll use more salt next time."
"And don't forget to clean the gutters tomorrow," Colin added, chewing his steak. "The rain spouts are clogged."
Yes, Colin. Of course, Colin.
Meanwhile, behind my bedroom door, I was meeting with Richard Sterling via encrypted phone calls.
Under Richard's guidance, we formed The V-Heritage Trust. The $3.1 million cash payout was quietly deposited into a private private-banking account in Dallas.
With part of the funds, Richard helped me purchase a breathtaking, historic three-story craftsman home in downtown Fredericksburg—a charming town in the Texas Hill Country, surrounded by peach orchards and wineries. The house had a wrap-around porch, a private garden, and high ceilings that smelled of cedar and history.
I hired a team of high-end interior designers to fully restore and furnish the home. I bought antique mahogany furniture, plush oriental rugs, and a state-of-the-art kitchen where I could bake whenever I pleased—not because I was forced to feed an ungrateful family, but because I loved it.
I also hired a top private investigator named Marcus Vance (no relation, though the name made me chuckle). My instructions to Marcus were simple:
"Investigate my daughter-in-law’s law firm and my son’s tech start-up. I want to know every financial decision, every contract, and every secret they think they are keeping."
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Richard thought I was being paranoid. "Margaret, why spy on your own family?"
"Because, Richard," I said softly, looking out the window of his office, "when people think you are weak, they reveal exactly who they really are. And I need to know what I’m up against when the hammer falls."
