He wasn’t backing down because he was defeated; he was backing down because he knew the trap was already set.

“If I sign this, they win,” I said.

“If you don’t sign it, Clara, they will ruin you,” Alden said.

“How?”

“Graham has already drafted an emergency court injunction,” Alden said. “He has a judge on standby who is friendly with his firm.”

“An injunction for what?”

“To freeze the estate’s assets,” Alden said. “They will claim you are incompetent to manage the property, or that Eleanor’s will was altered under duress.”

My hand tightened around the phone.

“Eleanor was perfectly sane when she left this land to me,” I said.

“It doesn’t matter what the truth is,” Alden said. “An emergency injunction will lock you out of the ridge immediately. Your bank accounts will be frozen until a hearing can be scheduled, which could take months.”

“I have Eleanor’s original diary,” I said. “The one where she documented Graham’s threats.”

“Where is it?”

“In the safe in her study,” I said.

“We need to get it now,” Alden said, shifting the car into gear. “Before Graham realizes you aren’t going to sign.”