The Inheritance Clause
"Elena was never told about this clause when she inherited."
"No," Laurent said. "She was not."
"Because Victoria died before she could tell her," Elena said.
"That is one possibility," Laurent said carefully.
"What is the other possibility?" Elena said.
Laurent was quiet for a moment.
"The other possibility," he said, "is that Victoria deliberately did not tell her. Because the renewal clause requires knowledge. If the heir operates the business without knowledge of the clause, the renewal is not triggered." He paused. "If Elena has been running the Ashford Collection for twelve years without knowing about the clause—"