Chapter 4 - The Transfer
The transfer concerned Harrington House.
The mansion.
The gardens.
And six nearby apartment buildings owned by the family charitable trust.
The apartments housed retired housekeepers, chauffeurs, cooks and maintenance workers who had served old Boston families for decades.
Rents remained protected.
Victoria wanted the properties sold to a luxury development fund.
Her argument was simple.
The land was too valuable for low-income housing.
Mrs. Harrington had refused.
“The residents built this house,” she said.
Victoria looked embarrassed.
“They worked here.”
“They gave their lives to families who retired with pensions while they retired with bad knees.”
The guests became uncomfortable.
Many employed domestic workers.
Few had ever wondered where those workers lived after retirement.
The sale would displace three hundred residents.
Victoria called it revitalization.
Leah called it removal.
Her mother lived in one of the buildings.
Victoria turned toward her.
“So this is personal.”
“Yes.”
Leah’s answer surprised her.
“My mother cleaned homes for thirty-four years.”
“She paid into the housing fund from every paycheck.”
“She deserves to know whether she will still have a home next month.”
Victoria lifted her chin.
“You are emotionally involved.”
Mrs. Harrington replied:
“That is what people say when facts belong to someone poorer.”
Ethan read the transfer agreement.
Victoria would receive a fifteen-million-dollar development fee if Mrs. Harrington signed that evening.
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The wheelchair incident happened ten minutes before the signing.
And if Mrs. Harrington appeared physically unstable, Victoria could activate an emergency incapacity clause.
