His face had turned pale.
“What did you do?”
Richard frowned.
“What are you talking about?”
“Where is Helen?”
“She’s throwing a tantrum.”
Martin briefly closed his eyes.
“No.”
Richard’s tone hardened.
“What do you mean, no?”
Martin opened the folder.
“Seven years ago, before your marriage, Helen purchased this property through her family trust.”
Tyler stopped eating.
Richard stared at Martin.
“I know she helped with the house.”
“No,” Martin said. “She owns the house.”
Silence followed.
Richard opened his mouth.
“She put my name—”
“On occupancy and insurance documents. Not the deed.”
Tyler stepped closer.
“So what?”
Martin removed another document.
“This is a notice terminating permission for Tyler to reside here.”
Tyler laughed.
“You’re joking.”
“I am not.”
Martin produced another page.
“This terminates Helen’s personal guarantee on the revolving credit facility supporting Richard’s company.”
Richard’s expression changed.
“You can’t just do that.”
“She can. The agreement permits withdrawal with written notice.”
“When?”
Martin checked his watch.
“Effective at 9:00 this morning.”
Richard grabbed his phone.
His company’s finance director had already called six times.
He dialed immediately.
The call lasted less than a minute.
When it ended, Richard’s hand trembled.
“What happened?” Tyler asked.
Richard remained silent.
Martin answered instead.
“The bank suspended further draws.”
Tyler’s smile finally vanished.
