Chapter 4 - The Corrupt Notary
I leaned close to the shower door so the sound of running water would muffle my conversation.
"Tell me exactly how Daniel managed to approve a loan against my sole property," I demanded softly.
Richard let out a long, heavy sigh over the phone line.
"He brought in a notarized power of attorney document claiming you were medically incapacitated," Richard explained.
I felt a surge of pure rage burning in my chest.
"I am perfectly healthy, and I never signed any power of attorney," I whispered furiously.
"The notary stamp was verified, Claire, and it looked completely legitimate to the loan officers," Richard apologized.
"Who was the notary that signed off on this fraudulent document?" I asked.
I heard the sound of Richard typing rapidly on his computer keyboard.
"The notary seal belongs to a man named Gregory Harrison," Richard read from the file.
A cold realization hit me like a physical blow to the stomach.
Gregory Harrison was Vanessa's husband, the quiet man who had barely spoken since they moved in.
The entire family was working together in a coordinated criminal conspiracy to ruin me.
"Richard, I need you to freeze every single asset associated with my social security number immediately," I instructed.
"I will put a hard lock on the accounts, but the loan funds have already been distributed to a third-party escrow," Richard warned.
"I will handle the escrow, just lock the accounts," I told him before hanging up.
I turned off the shower and wrapped a towel around my head to keep up the charade.
I walked back into the bedroom, completely ignoring the hidden camera blinking in the vent.
I needed to make them believe I was defeated so they would make a careless mistake.
I pushed the heavy dresser away from the door and unlocked it.
I walked downstairs into the kitchen to get a glass of water.
Gregory was standing by the refrigerator, drinking a beer in the dark.
He smiled at me, but his eyes were completely dead and devoid of any emotion.
"You really should have just washed Margaret's feet, Claire," Gregory whispered menacingly.
May you like
"It would have been much easier for you if you just learned to obey your husband."
Gregory took a step closer, pulling a sharp hunting knife from his pocket and tapping it against the counter.
