Chapter 9
After Yvonne was taken away, the Sullivan residence fell into a suffocating silence.
Bowen sat beside Kathleen’s body like a man stripped of his soul. His phone kept ringing–calls from board members, business partners, and news reporters. Everyone was desperate to know what had happened. However, he did not answer a single one.
Annie softly said, “Mr. Liddell, the funeral home staff is here.”
Bowen jolted upright. “No! Don’t take her away!”
Nonetheless, he knew there was no stopping it. Kathleen was gone for good.
Downstairs, Kathleen’s parents wering through the evidence. Each document and recording felt like a blade slicing into their hearts.
“This date…” Jolene pointed at one of the medical forms, her voice trembling. “It says Kathleen was diagnosed with cancer last Christmas.”
“But she never told us,” David muttered, sounding like he had aged ten years.
Annie walked over quietly. “That day, Yvonne had a sudden health scare. You were all at the hospital with her. Mrs. Liddell didn’t want to worry anyone.” Jolene broke down, covering her face with both hands. “What have we done… What did we do to her?”
Just then, Bowen’s lawyer, Isaac, arrived with more shocking news. He unfolded the documents and said, “Ms. Sullivan updated her will three days ago. She transferred everything she owned to Ms. Lawson, but…”
“But what?”
“There’s a special clause—if the beneficiary is found to be involved in any criminal activity, all assets automatically go to the Kathleen Sullivan Cancer Foundation.”
Bowen stared at him. “A foundation?”
Isaac nodded. “Yes. She set it up to support cancer patients. So, in short, Ms. Lawson gets nothing.”
