“My father left a considerable amount of money, some of which is in trust funds for any future grandchildren he didn’t live long enough to meet,” Lory explained.
“But, how?” He shook his head. “I don’t understand.”
“My family is wealthy. Has been for several generations. I’m the last remaining Dawson other than my stepmother and stepsister. My father wanted to be sure we, and any future generations, were taken care of if he was no longer here to do so. This was his way of seeing to that.”
Jake waved his hand at the papers in front of Clark. “No, I get what a trust is and why they’re made. What I don’t get is why Maddox is the sole recipient of fifty-two million dollars.”
“As Renee’s only child, the fund is his.”
His mouth dropped open. Snapped shut. Swallowing he asked, “Did you know about this when you came to Sunnyville?”
“Yes.”
“And you chose to keep it to yourself?”
“Yes.”
“Lory,” Jake used the name he hadn’t spoken in months. The name Mad had given her out of affection. The name he couldn’t stop thinking of her as. She wasn’t Mallory Dawson, Renee’s stepsister, to him. She was Lory. His and Mad’s Lory. “Why?”
She glanced away and when she brought her gaze back to his he could see the tears she held back. “I didn’t do it to deceive you. I came to Sunnyville to meet Maddox, and you, to see if you would be amenable to Maddox having a relationship with his grandmother. I also came to talk with Renee’s arresting officer. I had,have, information that would help keep her behind bars when her appeal goes to court.”
“You wanted her to stay behind bars?”
“Yes. Still do. Unfortunately, as I’m sure you’re aware, my stepmother has once again been bamboozled by Renee and her lies and has managed to get her out of jail and into a secure psychiatric facility. I was unable to stop that from happening but I am, and will continue, to fight to have her returned to jail.”
“You’re trying to protect Maddox.”
“Someone has to. I happen to have the money and the information to keep her away from him.”
“How much did it cost?” He tapped the document in front of him. The one with Renee’s signature that said she relinquished all parental rights.
“Sixty million.”
He flopped back in his chair. “Holy fucking shit!”
The room stayed quiet while Jake digested that piece of information.
Lory had paid sixty million to remove Renee from their lives. He couldn’t get his head around it.
For weeks he’d thought of this woman as the enemy. As a liar and a manipulator. And all along she’d been trying to protect his son from her own family. At the expense of herself. He knew through Keaton that Donna Dawson had started a legal war against her stepdaughter. They’d found out through a lawyer friend of Keaton’s that Lory’s stepmother was suing her for failing to execute Jeffery Dawson’s will as stipulated in the document.
He had no idea where Lory had been the last few months. She’d left nothing behind when he’d kicked her out and the only information about her he managed to get had been secondhand.
“There are some papers for you to sign on Maddox’s behalf,” Clark said as he moved more papers around. “I’ve marked all the spots but you’ll want your lawyer to go over them before you sign.”
“I’ll take them.” Keaton held out his hand. “Is there anything we can do as a thank you for getting Renee to sign over all rights?”
“No. Although, Jacob, we would ask that you consider appearing in person as a witness during her appeal. I know that you appeared via close circuit TV at her original hearing and if you need me to make the same arrangements I can but I believe it will have more punch if you’re there in person this time.”
“I couldn’t leave Mad before. I’ll be there this time. Just let me know where and when,” he said.
“You have my number, Clark; keep me updated,” Keaton said as he pushed to his feet. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, I’d like to go over these documents with my client.”
“Of course. Although I’m sure you’ll find everything in order. Once you’ve signed and given me the relevant bank account details, the first monthly payment will be dispersed.”
“Payment?” Jake asked as he got to his feet.
“Yes. Twenty thousand will be wired to you each month for Maddox’s care.”
