“You will ruin this family, Clara,” he hissed.

“I won’t let you destroy grandmother’s legacy,” I replied.

I turned on my heel and walked out of the club, the heavy doors shutting out their protests.

But Graham’s retaliation came faster than I anticipated.

By five o’clock that evening, I was sitting in a local diner, trying to read Eleanor’s journals.

The entries detailed Graham’s early attempts to siphon funds from the family trust.

My phone chimed with a high-priority email alert from my bank.

I tapped the screen, and my breath caught in my throat.

*Account Restitution Notice: Access Denied.*

I tried to log into my mobile banking app, but the screen flashed a red error message.

Every single one of my personal and estate accounts had been frozen.

Before I could process the notification, my phone rang.

It was Alden Vale.

“Clara,” Alden said, his voice heavy with reluctant pity.

“Graham just filed an emergency court injunction.”

“On what grounds?” I demanded, my hand gripping the phone.

“He’s alleging undue influence and mental incompetence regarding your executorship,” Alden sighed.