The meeting was held in Margaret’s library — dark wood, tall windows, books that had clearly been read. Samuel Price sat at the long table with documents stacked before him.

Vanessa arrived in cream silk, looking expensive and wounded. Richard brought a folder of objections. Cousins whispered near the fireplace until Margaret entered.

She stayed standing. “I’ll say this once. Elena did not take anything from you. I removed privileges you mistook for rights.”

Richard opened his folder. “Mother, the family has concerns about undue influence.”

Margaret smiled coldly. “Samuel.”

The attorney pushed a packet across the table. “Mrs. Whitmore completed two independent cognitive evaluations before amending the trust. Both confirm full capacity. The signing was recorded, and the existing documents gave her complete authority to alter the distribution rules.”