Chapter 15 - The Hidden Agreement Signed Behind My Back|
Constance's attorney sent Meredith a letter the next morning.
It claimed that the Pierce trust had interfered with company management and that Constance held certain contractual rights related to Ross's original ownership interest.
Meredith read the letter twice.
Then she called me.
“Lydia, do you remember an agreement titled the Founder Continuity Arrangement?”
I frowned.
“No.”
“Ross's attorneys are relying on one.”
I arrived at her office forty minutes later.
The document was dated six years earlier.
It purported to give Constance a role in certain ownership decisions if Ross became unable to manage the company.
I stared at the date.
“That was the year Poppy was born.”
Meredith nodded.
“The agreement may have been intended as part of a succession plan.”
“Did I sign it?”
“Not according to the copy they sent us.”
“Then why does it matter?”
“Because they're suggesting that it creates authority independent of the protections held by your trust.”
I examined the document.
My name appeared in a section labeled Acknowledged Family Interests.
But there was no signature beside it.
Instead, someone had written:
Acknowledgment to follow.
I looked up.
“Did Ross ever send me this?”
“Not that we know.”
Meredith turned another page.
The arrangement contained language concerning successor representatives, emergency management rights, and family-controlled voting arrangements.
I didn't understand every provision.
But one name appeared repeatedly.
Constance Calloway.
“Can she use this to control the company?” I asked.
“Not simply because the document says so. We need to determine who had authority to execute it, whether required approvals were obtained, and whether it conflicts with the governing agreements.”
I took a breath.
“Why create it without telling me?”
Meredith studied the signature page.
“That's what we intend to ask.”
Then Caroline entered carrying another file.
“We found a related consent form.”
Meredith opened it.
The form purported to confirm that the Pierce trust had reviewed the founder arrangement.
Near the bottom was a signature resembling my mother's.
Eleanor Pierce.
My heart stopped.
“Mom signed this?”
Meredith shook her head.
“We haven't established that.”
I called my mother.
She answered immediately.
“Lydia?”
“Mom, did you approve something called the Founder Continuity Arrangement?”
Silence.
Then she asked:
“Where did you find that?”
My stomach tightened.
“Ross's attorneys sent it.”
Eleanor exhaled slowly.
“Come over.”
“Mom, did you sign it?”
Another pause.
“I signed a document years ago, but I was told it was a routine acknowledgment.”
I closed my eyes.
“What did it say?”
“I wasn't given a complete final copy.”
I stared at Meredith.
“Did you ask for one?”
“Yes. Repeatedly.”
My mother sounded shaken.
“Lydia, I trusted the attorney who brought it to me.”
“Whose attorney?”
Eleanor hesitated.
Then whispered:
“Constance's.”
I felt cold.
“Why would you trust Constance's attorney?”
My mother didn't answer immediately.
Then she said something that made my stomach tighten.
“Because at the time, Ross told me your marriage wouldn't survive unless I cooperated.”
I stared at the phone.
“Mom, what are you talking about?”
May you like
Eleanor's voice broke.
“Lydia, there are things about your marriage I should have told you years ago.”
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