Chapter 17 - Dinner with the Woman Who Wanted the MeadowElaine Brooks arrived at Rosemere at seven-thirty that evening.
Sarah had requested the meeting.
Claire advised against speaking privately with anyone connected to the disputed sale, so she attended with Sarah and Victoria.
Martin was invited but refused.
Elaine entered the dining room wearing a cream silk blouse and a tailored charcoal jacket.
She was fifty-two, with silver-blonde hair and the polished confidence of a woman accustomed to negotiating enormous sums of money.
She looked around the room with appreciation.
"Rosemere really is extraordinary."
Sarah remained standing.
"My grandmother thought so."
Elaine smiled.
"Penelope was a remarkable woman."
"You knew her?"
"Briefly."
Sarah placed the photograph from her first wedding on the table.
Elaine's smile faded.
"You were here in July 2020."
The developer studied the image.
"Yes."
"My father told me you first approached Rosemere last year."
Elaine glanced at Claire.
"Development discussions often span years."
"Did Grandma approve the North Meadow project?"
Elaine hesitated.
"No. She had concerns."
"About the orchard?"
"Among other things."
"About the cottages?"
Elaine folded her hands.
"Sarah, I understand this is emotional. But the proposal represents a substantial commercial opportunity."
"How substantial?"
"Eight-point-four million dollars for the fourteen-acre parcel, subject to the contract's terms and adjustments."
Victoria looked toward the window.
Sarah had known the figure was large.
Hearing it spoken aloud made the betrayal feel even uglier.
"Why does my father want the sale so badly?"
Elaine's smile tightened.
"That is a question for Martin."
"He says the company needs money."
"Rosemere has liabilities."
"What liabilities?"
"I'm not authorized to disclose confidential financial diligence materials without appropriate approval."
Claire intervened.
"Then let's discuss the transaction's validity. Sarah disputes the signature on the member consent."
Elaine's expression became guarded.
"We received executed documents from Rosemere's manager and counsel."
"Have you seen Sarah sign the consent?" Claire asked.
"No."
"Did anyone at your company verify her authorization directly?"
Elaine hesitated.
"That would normally be addressed through the closing process."
Sarah leaned forward.
"Yet you scheduled closing for tomorrow."
Elaine's gaze sharpened.
"Because we were told the approvals were in place."
"By my father."
"Yes."
Sarah showed her a copy of the operating agreement.
"Both sisters must approve the sale."
Elaine studied the document.
"I understand your position."
"Then postpone the closing."
Elaine looked toward Claire.
"Any postponement would need to be addressed through the lawyers. We have financing commitments and contractual deadlines."
Sarah stared at her.
"These are people's homes, not just deadlines."
Elaine's expression cooled.
"The relocation provisions can be discussed."
"Twelve families live in those cottages."
"Commercial projects sometimes require difficult transitions."
Sarah felt anger rise.
"You knew the cottages were occupied?"
"Yes."
"And you planned to remove the tenants?"
"We planned to address occupancy as part of redevelopment."
Sarah looked at Victoria.
Her sister lowered her head.
Elaine continued.
"Sarah, perhaps there's another way to resolve this."
"What way?"
"Brookstone could explore purchasing your membership interest directly, subject to legal and financial review."
Claire immediately spoke.
"Any such proposal should be delivered in writing through counsel."
Elaine nodded.
"Naturally."
Sarah studied her.
"You want to buy me out?"
"I want to avoid unnecessary conflict."
"How much?"
"That would require valuation."
Sarah smiled without warmth.
"Would it be enough money to make me stop asking about my father's accounts?"
Elaine's expression hardened.
"I haven't suggested anything improper."
"Then why are we discussing my shares instead of the signature I say was forged?"
For the first time, Elaine appeared irritated.
"Because the development can benefit your family considerably."
"My family includes people who work here."
Elaine stood.
"I respect your passion. But sentiment doesn't pay creditors."
Sarah rose as well.
"Neither does a forged signature."
Claire placed a calming hand on Sarah's arm.
Elaine collected her portfolio.
"I'll ask our counsel to speak with yours."
She turned toward the door.
Then stopped.
"One more thing, Sarah."
Sarah waited.
"Your father told us you intended to step away from active ownership after your marriage."
Sarah stared.
"What?"
"He said Owen had plans to relocate and that you would no longer be involved in Rosemere's management."
Owen had never proposed relocating.
Sarah's work remained based in New York.
Elaine seemed to recognize her mistake.
"I may have misunderstood."
Sarah felt cold.
"My father said I was leaving?"
Elaine said nothing.
After the developer departed, Sarah remained beside the dining table.
Victoria looked miserable.
"Dad told me the same thing."
Sarah turned.
"When?"
"Last month."
"And you believed him?"
Victoria's eyes filled.
"I wanted to."
Sarah looked toward the photograph of Penelope hanging above the fireplace.
Her grandmother had spent her life trying to give her descendants a home.
Martin had apparently been telling outsiders that one daughter was leaving, while using the other to secure the sale.
He had not merely concealed documents.
May you like
He had been quietly removing Sarah from the family's future.
And she was beginning to suspect he had been planning it for years.
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