Chapter 8 - Mason Stops Protecting The Family Name
The Whitaker family foundation had a board meeting two weeks later.
Jiso sat on that board.
So did Mason.
For years, Claire’s family treated internal disputes as private matters.
Quiet settlements.
Closed doors.
Nobody embarrassing the family.
Mason had always admired that culture.
Now he understood its danger.
He disclosed the conflict.
Not every allegation.
Only established facts.
Jiso’s access to Lisa’s trust was being reviewed.
Certain payments were disputed.
A criminal investigation concerning the nursery incident was ongoing.
Jiso would step back from foundation duties pending review.
One board member objected.
“This could remain inside the family.”
Mason looked at him.
“My daughter was injured inside the family.”
The room went silent.
The vote passed.
Jiso’s board privileges were suspended.
The trust’s independent institution froze nonessential adviser payments while documentation was reviewed.
That decision affected more than Jiso.
Employees asked questions.
Relatives called.
Claire’s uncle accused Mason of destroying her memory.
Mason refused the argument.
“Claire left a letter warning us.”
That ended most conversations.
Then the original estate attorney returned from medical leave.
Her name was Diane Mercer.
She asked Mason to come to her office.
“I heard there is confusion regarding Claire’s trust amendment.”
“Did she sign it?”
Diane’s expression told him something immediately.
“Yes.”
Mason stopped breathing.
Diane opened a fireproof document file.
Inside was the executed original.
Signed.
Witnessed.
Notarized.
Dated eighteen days before Claire died.
Mason read the crucial section.
Jiso Vale was removed from all advisory authority over Lisa’s trust.
An institutional co-trustee was appointed alongside Mason.
No discretionary role remained for Jiso.
Mason looked up.
“Then why was I given a version where she still had authority?”
Diane went pale.
“What version?”
Rebecca placed the family binder copy beside the original.
They were almost identical.
Almost.
Four pages differed.
One restored Jiso’s role.
Another removed the institutional trustee.
A third expanded reimbursement authority.
The fourth altered a notice provision.
Diane stared at the documents.
“I did not prepare this.”
There it was.
Not suspicion anymore.
Two versions existed.
One executed by Claire.
May you like
One Mason had been using since her death.
And someone had needed the wrong one to survive long enough to move money.
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