“Margaret?” Beverly repeated the name as if it were a bad joke.

“Margaret doesn’t own a doormat here.”

Gordon emerged from the dining room with a measuring tape in one hand.

“What are you talking about?”

Elaine handed him copies of the recorded deed and trust summary, then pointed to the court papers from the divorce.

“You received these documents through counsel.

Your father’s trust owns the property, and Margaret is the beneficiary with authority under its terms.

Neither you nor your mother can authorize renovations or a transfer.”