On October 26, Naomi received formal confirmation that steps had been taken to establish her status under the trust succession provisions.
Miriam and the appropriate professionals had reviewed the original instruments, obtained relevant certified records, and initiated the notices needed to place the company and other interested parties on notice of Naomi's claim.
The process was not complete.
Further questions remained concerning corporate recognition, the scope of her rights, and the legal effect of prior actions.
But the company could no longer reasonably claim that no one had raised the issue.
Miriam sent a letter to Northstar's registered legal office requesting acknowledgment of the trust's reserved consent provisions and confirmation that no protected transaction would be executed without resolving the authority questions.
The letter was delivered.
Receipt was confirmed.
Then silence followed.
Naomi called.
The receptionist transferred her to a legal administrator.
The administrator promised someone would respond.
No one did.
Miriam sent a follow-up.
Again, no substantive response.
Then the company publicly announced that its board would consider the final restructuring agreement on October 28.
Naomi stared at the announcement on her phone.
The meeting would take place the day after the date scheduled for the final supplemental consent certificate.
She didn't know the significance of that yet.
But something about the timing troubled her.
The next morning, her staffing supervisor called.
“Naomi, we need you at Northstar tomorrow.”
She hesitated.
“For what?”
“Executive board service. Full-day assignment.”
Naomi felt her heart accelerate.
“What time?”
“Seven.”
She looked toward her mother's bedroom.
Then toward the envelope containing Samuel's letter.
For a moment, she considered declining.
Miriam's warnings echoed in her mind.
She couldn't use her position to steal documents.
She couldn't assume that a rumor proved misconduct.
And she needed to avoid creating confusion about whether she was acting as a hospitality worker or a potential claimant under the trust.
But the assignment was legitimate.
She'd already worked at Northstar.
The agency needed someone experienced.
And the company had not removed her from the approved staffing list.
She accepted.
That evening, she visited Elena.
Her mother sat beside the window wrapped in a soft blue blanket, listening to one of Samuel's old jazz records.
Naomi told her about the meeting.
Elena listened quietly.
Then asked.
“Are you frightened?”
Naomi laughed bitterly.
“Terrified.”
Her mother smiled.
“Of Graham Whitlock?”
“Of making a mistake.”
Elena reached for her hand.
For several seconds, she remained quiet.
Then whispered.