That could explain ordinary inconsistencies.
It didn't explain a signature that appeared inconsistent with Lorraine's medical condition.
The trust's independent counsel requested additional material.
The response from Asterion's acquisition team was terse.
The waiver was valid, the letter said.
The proposed transaction could proceed on the basis of the representations already supplied.
Nia stared at the response.
Then read the signature beneath it.
Margaret Vale, General Counsel, Asterion Holdings.
She recognized the name from corporate publications.
Margaret was a respected attorney in her early fifties who had spent much of her career negotiating complex mergers. She wasn't someone who ordinarily signed careless legal statements.
Nia wondered whether Margaret had actually reviewed the document.
Or whether she'd been assured it was valid by someone else.
She decided to find out.
Margaret answered Nia's third call.
Her voice was professional and distant.
"Miss Brooks, I understand you have concerns about the consent documentation."
Nia looked toward her mother's photograph on the desk.
"Yes."
Margaret asked whether the trust's lawyer had explained the verification process.
"He has."
"Then I suggest we allow counsel to handle the matter."
Nia took a breath.
"Ms. Vale, the signature is dated three days before my mother died."
There was a pause.
Margaret said she understood.
Nia continued.
"She was unconscious in the hospital that afternoon."
For several seconds, the line was silent.
Then Margaret asked whether medical documentation supported the timeline.
"Yes."
Another pause.
"I see."
Nia leaned forward.
"Did you personally witness my mother sign the waiver?"
"No."
"Did you speak with anyone who did?"
Margaret hesitated.
"Miss Brooks, I can't discuss privileged communications or confidential aspects of the transaction outside the appropriate channels."
Nia nodded.
She understood the limits.
But Margaret's tone had changed.
"Then please tell your team that the trust is formally disputing the document."
Margaret agreed to ensure the concern was properly directed.
Before ending the call, Nia asked one final question.
"Would you want a document bearing your mother's signature accepted without checking it?"
For several seconds, Margaret didn't answer.
Then she said quietly, "I understand why you're asking."
The call ended.
Nia sat staring at the phone.
She couldn't tell whether Margaret believed her.
But she hoped the lawyer understood the seriousness of the allegation.
Meanwhile, Victor Liang was becoming impatient.
He had spent months negotiating the acquisition. Asterion's bankers had built elaborate financial models. Advisers prepared presentations showing how the combined company could increase revenue, reduce administrative costs, and generate new income from exclusive technology licenses.