“It became a legal matter when you attempted to obtain control of your mother’s property under false pretenses,” Patricia replied. Linda said nothing more.

Patricia distributed copies of the trust summary around the room, handing mine to me last. “The terms are straightforward. Every beneficiary received a valid cashier’s check from a trust distribution account.

Acceptance requires depositing the check or submitting written acknowledgment before the deadline. Failure to act, destruction, or refusal is treated as rejection.”

“But we didn’t know,” Marcus’s voice cracked.

Patricia looked at him over her glasses. “Mrs. Whitaker handed you a check with your name and a specific amount on it. You chose not to verify it.”

Dad threw the document on the table. “This is cruel.”