He was sixty-eight, wealthy, arrogant, and constantly talked about “off-market opportunities.”
Claire explained that Victor arranged fast property sales when owners were desperate, divorcing, or overwhelmed by debt.
Sometimes, she said, he lined up buyers before homeowners even realized a transaction was being prepared behind them.
A cold pressure settled in my chest.
“What deal?” I asked.
Margaret finally sat down.
“Your house has almost doubled in value. You two are drowning in expenses. Daniel told me.”
I slowly turned toward my husband.
He looked sick.
“What did you tell her?”
Daniel rubbed both hands over his face.
“I told her we were stretched. That’s all.”
Claire cut in immediately.
“That’s not all.”
She reached into her bag and pulled out a folder containing printed emails.
Margaret suddenly lunged toward it.
