One by one, they turned toward Derek.

The attorney continued.

“A lender audit confirms a second mortgage was initiated using documentation submitted under contested signatures.”

Derek exhaled sharply.

“That was Lucas’s signature,” he said, pointing at me. “He approved it.”

The attorney shook his head.

“The medical and hospital records for Mr. Bennett confirm he was under inpatient care during the execution dates.”

Silence.

Then the attorney placed another document on the table.

“The notarization used in this transaction has been flagged as irregular and is under criminal review.”

Murmurs broke out across the room.

Derek’s voice rose.

“I was trying to protect the house from foreclosure—”

“By increasing its debt load without legal authority?” the attorney asked calmly.

No answer came.

He turned a page.

“As of this filing, the second mortgage is being suspended pending fraud investigation, and the lender has placed a hold on all related claims.”

The room felt smaller.

He looked at Derek directly.

“And any attempt to enforce this debt will be legally contested by the estate.”

Derek glanced around like someone might step in and fix it.

No one did.

The attorney closed the folder.

“Mr. Bennett, control of the estate property remains solely with you under probate administration.”

The celebration never recovered.

People left quietly, one by one.

And Derek stayed behind in a house that suddenly didn’t feel like it belonged to him anymore.

Just a case file waiting to be closed.