Chapter 11 - EDWIN’S COUNTERATTACK
Edwin hired a forensic accountant of his own.
Paul Redding.
Competent.
Not a hired clown.
His report challenged Felicia in three areas.
First:
The private advance ledger was clearly separate from Northstar’s official statements in several versions.
True.
Some were labeled:
Family projection only.
Not all.
Second:
The trust permitted broad discretion in determining whether expenses belonged to an adult beneficiary or minor-descendant support.
True.
Therefore some disputed therapy, childcare and household charges were not obviously misclassified.
Third:
The $6,300 repayments could be characterized as voluntary family reimbursements for Edwin’s administrative and incidental support costs.
That one was weaker.
No written agreement.
No invoice.
But he argued.
Then Edwin’s counsel produced my old emails.
ME:
Whatever it takes, Dad. I’ll pay it back later.
This was during Nora’s illness.
What did I mean?
I did not remember.
Maybe mortgage bridge.
Maybe travel.
Counsel argued I had voluntarily agreed to reimbursement.
Naomi found context.
Previous message:
EDWIN:
I can cover the hotel and gas personally until Northstar catches up.
ME:
Whatever it takes, Dad. I’ll pay it back later.
That supported $2,100 of actual personal advances.
Not later therapy transfers.
Still.
Memory matters.
Then my work.
Edwin argued he had legitimate concern.
I had reduced hours.
Used trust.
Withdrew retirement funds? Maybe no. We don't need.
He believed I was sliding into dependence after Nora’s death.
He had offered me a higher-paying position in his equipment business.
I refused.
There.
This introduced an extra control dimension.
Edwin had sold most of his construction-equipment company years earlier but still owned a smaller rental operation.
He offered me management work.
More money.
Longer hours.
I declined because Calloway needed me home.
Edwin interpreted:
Choosing lower income, then asking trust for support.
He called that irresponsible.
I called it parenting.
The trust instrument did not require maximizing income before receiving child welfare support.
But Northstar could consider resources.
So the dispute was real.
Then Edwin’s lawyer attacked my family email.
“You told beneficiaries Edwin was stealing Calloway’s therapy money.”
“I corrected that.”
“After sending it.”
“Yes.”
“Was it true?”
“No.”
Good.
“Did your accusation damage his reputation?”
“Probably.”
“Did you send it because you were angry?”
“Yes.”
No escape.
Then my bowl throw.
Video.
No denial.
May you like
They would use every mistake to argue I was turning financial disagreement into revenge.
I needed to be precise enough that my flaws did not become his defense.
