Chapter 8: His Chapter 8: His Mother Was Part of the Plan
I stared at the email addressed Mother Was Part of the Plan
I stared at the email addressed to Margaret.
For several seconds, I couldn't bring myself to read it.
My mother-in-law to Margaret.
For several seconds, I couldn't bring myself to read it.
My mother-in-law had known about Vanessa.
She had known Derek wasn't coming to the hospital had known about Vanessa.
She had known Derek wasn't coming to the hospital.
She had stood in my bedroom and told me not to make a scene while another woman occupied my side of the bed.
But I had still hoped she was simply.
She had stood in my bedroom and told me not to make a scene while another woman occupied my side of the bed.
But I had still hoped she was simply protecting her son.
I had never imagined she might have been protecting something else.
“Nicole,” I whispered, “what does the protecting her son.
I had never imagined she might have been protecting something else.
“Nicole,” I whispered, “what does the email say?””
Nicole glanced at Carter.
He nodded.
She placed the page in front of me.
The message was dated three days before Maisie's birth.
*Mom email say?””
Nicole glanced at Carter.
He nodded.
She placed the page in front of me.
The message was dated three days before Maisie's birth.
*Mom, I need you to make sure Audrey doesn't, I need you to make sure Audrey doesn't start asking questions about the property documents. If she gets suspicious, tell her Dad has already approved the arrangement. I need the remaining signatures before the end of the month start asking questions about the property documents.
If she gets suspicious, tell her Dad has already approved the arrangement. I need the remaining signatures before the end of the month.*
Margaret's response was printed underneath.
Don't worry. I'll handle Audrey. She's emotional right now, and she'll listen if I tell her it's for the baby's future.
I read it again.
Then a.*
Margaret's response was printed underneath.
Don't worry. I'll handle Audrey. She's emotional right now, and she'll listen if I tell her it's for the baby's future.
I read it again.
Then a third time.
My father pushed his chair backward.
“Unbelievable.””
Carter raised a hand.
“Thomas, let's continue before we draw conclusions.””
I looked at Nicole.
“Were there more?””
She nodded.
“Three additional messages.””
The next email was sent the morning I went into labor.
*Derek, Audrey is going into the third time.
My father pushed his chair backward.
“Unbelievable.””
Carter raised a hand.
“Thomas, let's continue before we draw conclusions.””
I looked at Nicole.
“Were there more?””
She nodded.
“Three additional messages.””
The next email was sent the morning I went into labor.
*Derek, Audrey is going into the hospital today. I can visit her tomorrow and bring the documents. She'll be more willing to sign if I tell her it's hospital today.
I can visit her tomorrow and bring the documents. She'll be more willing to sign if I tell her it's part of the baby's financial planning.*
My hands went cold.
The next message came from Derek.
Don't bring everything at once. Start with the part of the baby's financial planning.
My hands went cold.
The next message came from Derek.
Don't bring everything at once. Start with the beneficiary acknowledgment. Once she signs that, the rest will be easier.
I looked at Carter.
“What is beneficiary acknowledgment. Once she signs that, the rest will be easier.*
I looked at Carter.
“What is a beneficiary acknowledgment?””
He took the paper and examined it.
“It could refer to several different things. We a beneficiary acknowledgment?””
He took the paper and examined it.
“It could refer to several different things. We need to see the actual document.””
Nicole reached into the envelope.
“I think this is it.””
She handed Carter another page.
It was a draft acknowledgment.
My name need to see the actual document.””
Nicole reached into the envelope.
“I think this is it.””
She handed Carter another page.
It was a draft acknowledgment.
My name appeared at the top.
The document stated that I understood and accepted a proposed restructuring of the Vance Family Property Trust.
It also contained language suggesting that I would appeared at the top.
The document stated that I understood and accepted a proposed restructuring of the Vance Family Property Trust.
It also contained language suggesting that I would relinquish certain objections to future transfers involving the mansion.
I stared at the signature line.
It was blank.
“They were going to ask me to sign this?””
Carter nodded relinquish certain objections to future transfers involving the mansion.
I stared at the signature line.
It was blank.
“They were going to ask me to sign this?””
Carter nodded.
“That's what the emails suggest.””
I looked at the date.
It was prepared five days before Maisie's birth.
Five days.
I had been preparing hospital bags.
Choosing a name.
Washing.
“That's what the emails suggest.””
I looked at the date.
It was prepared five days before Maisie's birth.
Five days.
I had been preparing hospital bags.
Choosing a name.
Washing tiny clothes.
And Margaret had apparently been preparing paperwork to help her son gain control of my family's property.
My father stood.
tiny clothes.
And Margaret had apparently been preparing paperwork to help her son gain control of my family's property.
My father stood.
“I want to speak to her.””
Carter looked at him.
“Not directly. We need to preserve the evidence and avoid unnecessary confrontation.””
My father sat again, but his face was red“I want to speak to her.””
Carter looked at him.
“Not directly. We need to preserve the evidence and avoid unnecessary confrontation.””
My father sat again, but his face was red.
“She's been in my daughter's life for six years.””
“I understand.””
“She held my granddaughter.””
“I understand.
“She's been in my daughter's life for six years.””
“I understand.””
“She held my granddaughter.””
“I understand, Thomas.””
“No, Carter. You don't.””
His voice cracked.
“She looked at Audrey and told her not, Thomas.””
“No, Carter. You don't.””
His voice cracked.
“She looked at Audrey and told her not to make a scene. She knew exactly what was happening.””
I lowered my eyes.
I remembered Margaret standing in my bedroom.
Her coffee mug.
Her perfectly arranged hair.
The casual way she had dismissed my pain.
She hadn't been to make a scene. She knew exactly what was happening.””
I lowered my eyes.
I remembered Margaret standing in my bedroom.
Her coffee mug.
Her perfectly arranged hair.
The casual way she had dismissed my pain.
She hadn't been shocked.
She hadn't even been uncomfortable.
She had been managing a situation.
And I had been the problem she wanted removed shocked.
She hadn't even been uncomfortable.
She had been managing a situation.
And I had been the problem she wanted removed.
“Nicole,” I asked, “why are you giving us these emails?””
She looked down at her hands.
“Because I couldn't.
“Nicole,” I asked, “why are you giving us these emails?””
She looked down at her hands.
“Because I couldn't keep pretending I didn't know.””
“What do you mean?””
Nicole took a breath.
“I knew Derek was seeing Vanessa. I also knew he was asking questions about the property. I didn't know about the forged signatures, but I saw enough to keep pretending I didn't know.””
“What do you mean?””
Nicole took a breath.
“I knew Derek was seeing Vanessa. I also knew he was asking questions about the property. I didn't know about the forged signatures, but I saw enough to become uncomfortable.””
“Then why didn't you tell me?””
Her eyes filled.
“I was afraid of losing my job.””
I become uncomfortable.””
“Then why didn't you tell me?””
Her eyes filled.
“I was afraid of losing my job.””
I nodded slowly.
“I understand being afraid.””
She looked at me.
“I kept copies because I thought something might happen. Then nodded slowly.
“I understand being afraid.””
She looked at me.
“I kept copies because I thought something might happen. Then when I heard you had been taken to your father's guesthouse, I realized I couldn't stay silent anymore.””
Carter gathered the emails.
“Did when I heard you had been taken to your father's guesthouse, I realized I couldn't stay silent anymore.””
Carter gathered the emails.
“Did Derek know you had these?””
“I don't think so.””
“Were they obtained through your authorized office access?””
“Yes. I was responsible Derek know you had these?””
“I don't think so.””
“Were they obtained through your authorized office access?””
“Yes. I was responsible for maintaining the executive correspondence archive.””
“Good. We'll document the source and preserve the original records.””
Nicole nodded.
Before she left, she turned toward me.
“Audrey, there's something else.””
I looked up.
“What?””
“Margaret wasn't for maintaining the executive correspondence archive.””
“Good. We'll document the source and preserve the original records.””
Nicole nodded.
Before she left, she turned toward me.
“Audrey, there's something else.””
I looked up.
“What?””
“Margaret wasn't just helping Derek with the property documents.””
My stomach tightened.
“What else?””
“She asked me to prepare a list of your personal assets.””
The room went silent.
“What assets?””
“Your investment accounts, just helping Derek with the property documents.””
My stomach tightened.
“What else?””
“She asked me to prepare a list of your personal assets.””
The room went silent.
“What assets?””
“Your investment accounts, the inheritance from your mother, and the jewelry your father gave you.””
I felt my throat tighten.
“Why?””
Nicole shook her head.
“She said Derek wanted to prepare a complete financial the inheritance from your mother, and the jewelry your father gave you.””
I felt my throat tighten.
“Why?””
Nicole shook her head.
“She said Derek wanted to prepare a complete financial picture for the family's future.””
Carter leaned forward.
“Did she specify a purpose?””
“No. But I remember her asking whether Audrey's inheritance could be transferred picture for the family's future.””
Carter leaned forward.
“Did she specify a purpose?””
“No. But I remember her asking whether Audrey's inheritance could be transferred into a joint account.””
I looked at my father.
He closed his eyes.
My mother's inheritance.
The money she had left me.
It into a joint account.””
I looked at my father.
He closed his eyes.
My mother's inheritance.
The money she had left me.
It wasn't enormous compared with the family's other assets, but it was the one thing I had never wanted to touch.
I had wasn't enormous compared with the family's other assets, but it was the one thing I had never wanted to touch.
I had kept it in a separate account because my mother had always told me to maintain something of my own.
Derek knew that.
He had once called kept it in a separate account because my mother had always told me to maintain something of my own.
Derek knew that.
He had once called it sentimental.
Now I wondered whether he had been studying how to get access to it.
Carter made several notes.
“Nicole, we'll need a formal statement it sentimental.
Now I wondered whether he had been studying how to get access to it.
Carter made several notes.
“Nicole, we'll need a formal statement. Please don't discuss this with Derek or Margaret.””
“I won't.””
. Please don't discuss this with Derek or Margaret.””
“I won't.””
When she left, Carter turned toward me.
“I'm going to recommend that we arrange a review of all your financial accounts and credit records.””
“Can Derek access them?””
“We don't know. But we should establish whether any accounts or applications have been opened using your information.””
I nodded.
“Do it.””
My father looked at Carter.
“And Margaret?””
“We'll preserveWhen she left, Carter turned toward me.
“I'm going to recommend that we arrange a review of all your financial accounts and credit records.””
“Can Derek access them?””
“We don't know. But we should establish whether any accounts or applications have been opened using your information.””
I nodded.
“Do it.””
My father looked at Carter.
“And Margaret?””
“We'll preserve the correspondence involving her and assess what further steps are appropriate.””
I stared at the blank signature line on the beneficiary acknowledgment.
For the first time, I felt genuinely frightened.
Not because Derek could take the mansion.
He couldn't.
Not because he the correspondence involving her and assess what further steps are appropriate.””
I stared at the blank signature line on the beneficiary acknowledgment.
For the first time, I felt genuinely frightened.
Not because Derek could take the mansion.
He couldn't.
Not because he could force me to return.
He couldn't.
I was frightened because I was beginning to understand how carefully he had studied my life.
He knew my habits.
He knew which documents I signed without reading.
He knew could force me to return.
He couldn't.
I was frightened because I was beginning to understand how carefully he had studied my life.
He knew my habits.
He knew which documents I signed without reading.
He knew how much I trusted his mother.
He knew that after giving birth, I would be exhausted.
And he had planned to use all of it.
At 4:50 p.m., Carter received a call from Margaret.
He answered on speaker.
“Good afternoon, Mrs how much I trusted his mother.
He knew that after giving birth, I would be exhausted.
And he had planned to use all of it.
At 4:50 p.m., Carter received a call from Margaret.
He answered on speaker.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Halston.””
“Where is Audrey?””
I looked at the phone.
Carter replied calmly.
“She's with us.””
“I need to speak to her.””
“Is there a particular reason?””
“She's my granddaughter's mother. I. Halston.””
“Where is Audrey?””
I looked at the phone.
Carter replied calmly.
“She's with us.””
“I need to speak to her.””
“Is there a particular reason?””
“She's my granddaughter's mother. I have a right to speak to her.””
I felt something tighten in my chest.
Carter glanced at me.
“Would you like to speak with her?””
I shook have a right to speak to her.””
I felt something tighten in my chest.
Carter glanced at me.
“Would you like to speak with her?””
I shook my head.
He understood.
“Mrs. Halston, Audrey isn't available for a conversation at the moment. You may communicate through our office regarding my head.
He understood.
“Mrs. Halston, Audrey isn't available for a conversation at the moment. You may communicate through our office regarding any necessary arrangements.””
Margaret's voice sharpened.
“This is ridiculous. Derek is her husband.””
“That's a matter between the parties and any necessary arrangements.””
Margaret's voice sharpened.
“This is ridiculous. Derek is her husband.””
“That's a matter between the parties and their respective attorneys.””
“Carter, I've known your family for years. You don't need to treat me like a criminal.””
Carter remained professional.
“Then I suggest you preserve all relevant communications their respective attorneys.””
“Carter, I've known your family for years. You don't need to treat me like a criminal.””
Carter remained professional.
“Then I suggest you preserve all relevant communications and direct any questions to your legal representative.””
Margaret was silent.
Then she said something I would never forget.
“Derek only wanted to protect his future. Audrey has never understood how difficult it is to and direct any questions to your legal representative.””
Margaret was silent.
Then she said something I would never forget.
“Derek only wanted to protect his future. Audrey has never understood how difficult it is to be married to a man with ambition.””
I felt my face grow hot.
Carter didn't respond.
Margaret continued.
“She's always been spoiled by her father. She be married to a man with ambition.””
I felt my face grow hot.
Carter didn't respond.
Margaret continued.
“She's always been spoiled by her father. She has a beautiful home, money, and everything handed to her. Derek worked for what he had.””
I leaned toward the phone.
“Margaret.””
The line went quiet.
“I'm here.””
She took has a beautiful home, money, and everything handed to her. Derek worked for what he had.””
I leaned toward the phone.
“Margaret.””
The line went quiet.
“I'm here.””
She took a breath.
“Audrey, sweetheart—”
“Don't call me that.””
Another pause.
“You're upset.””
“No. I'm listening.””
“I think you've misunderstood what happened.””
a breath.
“Audrey, sweetheart—”
“Don't call me that.””
Another pause.
“You're upset.””
“No. I'm listening.””
“I think you've misunderstood what happened.””
“Did you plan to bring me property documents while I was in the hospital?””
Silence.
“Margaret?””
“Derek was handling a complicated financial matter.””
““Did you plan to bring me property documents while I was in the hospital?””
Silence.
“Margaret?””
“Derek was handling a complicated financial matter.””
“Did you plan to tell me my father had approved it when he hadn't?””
She exhaled.
“I was trying to keep the family together.””
“By lying to me?””
“I was trying to help my son.””
I looked at the email on the table.
“Did you know he was going to use myDid you plan to tell me my father had approved it when he hadn't?””
She exhaled.
“I was trying to keep the family together.””
“By lying to me?””
“I was trying to help my son.””
I looked at the email on the table.
“Did you know he was going to use my signature?””
“I didn't know anything about a forged signature.””
“Did you know he wanted me to transfer my inheritance?””
“I don't know what you're talking about.””
“Then why did you ask Nicole for a list of my accounts?””
Margaret didn't signature?””
“I didn't know anything about a forged signature.””
“Did you know he wanted me to transfer my inheritance?””
“I don't know what you're talking about.””
“Then why did you ask Nicole for a list of my accounts?””
Margaret didn't answer.
I heard her breathing.
Then she said, “You need to stop listening to people who want answer.
I heard her breathing.
Then she said, “You need to stop listening to people who want to destroy Derek.””
I almost laughed.
“Who is destroying Derek, Margaret?””
“Your father. His lawyers. That woman at his office.””
I looked at Carter.
He shook his head slightly, warning me not to continue.
But I needed to say one to destroy Derek.””
I almost laughed.
“Who is destroying Derek, Margaret?””
“Your father. His lawyers. That woman at his office.””
I looked at Carter.
He shook his head slightly, warning me not to continue.
But I needed to say one thing.
“You stood in my bedroom five days after I gave birth. You saw another woman sitting on my bed. You saw me holding your granddaughter. And you told me not to make a scene.””
Margaret's voice thing.
“You stood in my bedroom five days after I gave birth. You saw another woman sitting on my bed. You saw me holding your granddaughter. And you told me not to make a scene.””
Margaret's voice softened.
“I was trying to avoid an argument.””
“No. You were trying to avoid the truth.””
I ended the call.
My hands were trembling.
Carter gently took the phone.
“That was enough.””
I nodded.
Then my father reached across the table.
“Sweetheart, softened.
“I was trying to avoid an argument.””
“No. You were trying to avoid the truth.””
I ended the call.
My hands were trembling.
Carter gently took the phone.
“That was enough.””
I nodded.
Then my father reached across the table.
“Sweetheart, you don't have to deal with her anymore.””
I looked at him.
“I know.””
But I wasn't finished thinking about what you don't have to deal with her anymore.””
I looked at him.
“I know.””
But I wasn't finished thinking about what she had done.
Because there was one question she had done.
Because there was one question I couldn't get out of my head.
Why had Margaret been so desperate to help Derek gain control of the property?
And the answer arrived the following morning.
At 8:06 a.m., Carter received a document from the lender's compliance team.
It contained a proposed ownership structure for the new holding company.
Derek was listed as managing I couldn't get out of my head.
Why had Margaret been so desperate to help Derek gain control of the property?
And the answer arrived the following morning.
At 8:06 a.m., Carter received a document from the lender's compliance team.
It contained a proposed ownership structure for the new holding company.
Derek was listed as managing director.
Ethan Cole was listed as a financial adviser.
But a third name appeared under the proposed beneficiaries.
Margaret Halston.
I stared at the page.
“Why is his mother listed?””
Carter examined director.
Ethan Cole was listed as a financial adviser.
But a third name appeared under the proposed beneficiaries.
Margaret Halston.
I stared at the page.
“Why is his mother listed?””
Carter examined the document.
“That's an excellent question.””
Then he pointed to a paragraph near the bottom.
The proposed structure allocated Margaret a twenty-percent interest in the document.
“That's an excellent question.””
Then he pointed to a paragraph near the bottom.
The proposed structure allocated Margaret a twenty-percent interest in the company.
My father slowly sat down.
“She wasn't helping Derek out of loyalty.””
I looked at him.
“What do you mean?””
He turned the page the company.
My father slowly sat down.
“She wasn't helping Derek out of loyalty.””
I looked at him.
“What do you mean?””
He turned the page.
“She was supposed to profit from the transfer.””
May you like
.
“She was supposed to profit from the transfer.””
