“Cash or Card?” My Daughter-in-Law Asked Coldly After Dinner – Treating Me Like I Was Just Her Personal Wallet.

Arthur received us in his office on the fifth floor. He was a man in his fifties—graying hair, charcoal-colored suit, intelligent eyes that seemed to see more than you were saying. “Eleanor told me a little over the phone, but I need you to tell me everything from the beginning.”

He sat behind his desk while Eleanor and I sat across from him. I took a deep breath and began. I told him about the house, about how I bought it alone, about Jessica and Ryan with the papers, the promises, the utility room, the $200, and the $8,000 dinner.

Arthur listened without interrupting, taking notes on a legal pad. When I finished, he leaned back in his chair. “Carol, this is a classic case of financial elder abuse. Possibly fraud, definitely coercion.”

He took the documents I had brought and read them carefully. “These original papers are crucial. They prove clear ownership. Now, tell me exactly what you signed when you transferred the house.” I closed my eyes, trying to remember.

“Jessica put three or four papers in front of me—long sheets with small print.” “The notary, or whoever he was, told me where to sign. He didn’t explain anything. He just pointed to the lines: ‘Sign here, here, here.’” “It all happened very fast—less than twenty minutes.”

Arthur nodded. “Did they give you copies?” I shook my head. “They said they would mail them to me. They never arrived.”