She wanted him deprived of the one story he always sold, which was that he was the strong and capable one. Mallory didn’t smile, but her gaze sharpened with professional interest.
“If you are patient, we can build something he can’t escape,” Mallory promised. Patience had always been Mirabelle’s most underestimated talent.
While Mallory drew up new estate papers, Mirabelle hired a private investigator named Silas Thorne and a forensic accountant. Silas documented the affair and photographed Harrison meeting Felicity at private clubs.
The accountant traced false invoices from Harrison’s company to shell entities tied to his gambling losses. Naomi had guessed he was stealing, but she had not known how recklessly.
As they collected evidence, Mirabelle’s health worsened quickly. Her latest medical results showed organ damage consistent with prolonged exposure to the toxin.
At the same time, Golden Lantern Education crossed a line she had once thought impossible. A major tech firm offered to buy a controlling stake in her company for a massive sum.
After taxes, her share of the deal was worth just over fifty million dollars. Mallory structured the proceeds so the money flowed into an irrevocable trust before Harrison suspected a thing.
The trust would fund scholarships for teachers and grants for underserved classrooms. A portion went directly to her sister, Tessa, and to Dr. Sheila Vance.
Harrison would receive absolutely nothing from the company or the insurance policy. Mirabelle changed every beneficiary with Mallory and two witnesses present.
Then she transferred the deed of their house into the Mirabelle Thorne Educational Trust. The property would be converted into a community center for children after her death.
Harrison would not only fail to inherit the home, but he would watch it become something she chose. Mallory also prepared sealed packets for the district attorney and Harrison’s business partners.
“If I don’t make it, send these out immediately,” Mirabelle instructed her lawyer. She read every page before signing her name for the final time.
Her health failed too quickly after that, and Sheila pushed for hospitalization. Mirabelle agreed, but she kept working even during her worst days in the hospital bed.