Chapter 9: The Chapter 9: The Price of Betrayal
My father read Price of Betrayal
My father read the document twice.
Then he placed it on Carter's desk.
“Twenty percent,” he said quietly the document twice.
Then he placed it on Carter's desk.
“Twenty percent,” he said quietly.
Carter nodded.
“That's what the proposed ownership schedule shows.””
I stared at Margaret's name.
For six years, she had criticized nearly everything I did.
My.
Carter nodded.
“That's what the proposed ownership schedule shows.””
I stared at Margaret's name.
For six years, she had criticized nearly everything I did.
My cooking.
My clothes.
The way I decorated the house.
Even the name Derek and I had chosen for cooking.
My clothes.
The way I decorated the house.
Even the name Derek and I had chosen for our daughter.
She had once told me that women who came from wealthy families often made poor wives because they didn't understand sacrifice.
I had spent years trying to earn her approval.
our daughter.
She had once told me that women who came from wealthy families often made poor wives because they didn't understand sacrifice.
I had spent years trying to earn her approval.
And now I was discovering that she had been willing to help her son take the property my father had workedAnd now I was discovering that she had been willing to help her son take the property my father had worked his entire life to protect.
“Did she know about the loan?”” I asked.
“Her name appears in the proposed ownership structure,” Carter replied his entire life to protect.
“Did she know about the loan?”” I asked.
“Her name appears in the proposed ownership structure,” Carter replied.
“That suggests she was aware of the arrangement.
“That suggests she was aware of the arrangement, but we need additional evidence before reaching a conclusion about her precise role.””
My father pointed at another section.
“What does this mean, but we need additional evidence before reaching a conclusion about her precise role.””
My father pointed at another section.
“What does this mean?””
Carter examined the paragraph.
“It's a proposed distribution of interests after the property transfer. Derek would control fifty-five percent, Margaret twenty?””
Carter examined the paragraph.
“It's a proposed distribution of interests after the property transfer. Derek would control fifty-five percent, Margaret twenty percent, and the remaining twenty-five percent would be allocated to another investor.””
“Who?””
Carter scrolled down.
“Ethan Cole.””
I percent, and the remaining twenty-five percent would be allocated to another investor.””
“Who?””
Carter scrolled down.
“Ethan Cole.””
I leaned back.
“So Vanessa's brother was supposed to own part of my family's house?””
“According to this proposal, leaned back.
“So Vanessa's brother was supposed to own part of my family's house?””
“According to this proposal, yes.””
I felt sick.
Vanessa hadn't simply been an affair.
Her brother was connected to the business scheme.
Margaret was supposed to benefit.
Derek had planned to place yes.””
I felt sick.
Vanessa hadn't simply been an affair.
Her brother was connected to the business scheme.
Margaret was supposed to benefit.
Derek had planned to place people from his new life around the property while pushing me out of the picture.
I thought about the pink blanket Vanessa had been holding.
The people from his new life around the property while pushing me out of the picture.
I thought about the pink blanket Vanessa had been holding.
The champagne glasses.
The photographs.
They had already started behaving as if the house belonged to them.
“Carter,” I asked, “ champagne glasses.
The photographs.
They had already started behaving as if the house belonged to them.
“Carter,” I asked, “was this proposal ever accepted?””
“No valid transfer was completed. But we need to establish whether the proposed company received money or whether any third-party interests were represented as already secured.””
My father stoodwas this proposal ever accepted?””
“No valid transfer was completed. But we need to establish whether the proposed company received money or whether any third-party interests were represented as already secured.””
My father stood and walked toward the window.
“I want Margaret's twenty percent explained.””
Carter nodded.
“We'll request the underlying communications and transaction records through the appropriate channels.””
I looked down at the document.
“Did Derek tell her she would get that money?””
“We and walked toward the window.
“I want Margaret's twenty percent explained.””
Carter nodded.
“We'll request the underlying communications and transaction records through the appropriate channels.””
I looked down at the document.
“Did Derek tell her she would get that money?””
“We can't know from this document alone.””
I remembered the email.
Don't worry. I'll handle Audrey.
Now those words sounded different.
can't know from this document alone.””
I remembered the email.
Don't worry. I'll handle Audrey.
Now those words sounded different.
Margaret hadn't been trying to protect her son's marriage.
She had been protecting her own financial future.
At noon, my father received a call from his former office manager.
Her name was Helen Foster.
She had workedMargaret hadn't been trying to protect her son's marriage.
She had been protecting her own financial future.
At noon, my father received a call from his former office manager.
Her name was Helen Foster.
She had worked with him for twenty-two years and had retired shortly after the company sale.
She was one of the few people my father trusted without hesitation.
Dad answered on speaker.
“Helen?””
“Thomas, I'm sorry to call unexpectedly.””
“Is everything all right?””
“I've been following what's happening with the property documents. I heard Martin has spoken to your with him for twenty-two years and had retired shortly after the company sale.
She was one of the few people my father trusted without hesitation.
Dad answered on speaker.
“Helen?””
“Thomas, I'm sorry to call unexpectedly.””
“Is everything all right?””
“I've been following what's happening with the property documents. I heard Martin has spoken to your attorney.””
“He has.””
Helen hesitated.
“There's something I should tell you.””
My father looked at Carter.
“Go ahead.””
“Last April, Derek came to your office while you were at a medical appointment.””
I frowned.
“Why?””
“He said he needed to collect a copy of the old property valuation.””
My father shook his head.
“I never authorized that.””
“I know. At the time, I thought he was collecting something for you.””
“Did you give it to him?””
“I gave him a copy of the valuation attorney.””
“He has.””
Helen hesitated.
“There's something I should tell you.””
My father looked at Carter.
“Go ahead.””
“Last April, Derek came to your office while you were at a medical appointment.””
I frowned.
“Why?””
“He said he needed to collect a copy of the old property valuation.””
My father shook his head.
“I never authorized that.””
“I know. At the time, I thought he was collecting something for you.””
“Did you give it to him?””
“I gave him a copy of the valuation from the administrative folder.””
Carter leaned forward.
“Did he request anything else?””
“Yes. He asked whether we still had the original trust documents in the archive.””
My father closed his eyes.
“What did you tell him?””
“That the documents were kept in a secure file cabinet and that only you and the legal department had access.””
“Did he enter the archive?””
Helen paused.
“I saw him near the records room.””
My stomach tightened.
“Was anyone with him?””
“Yes.””
“Who?””
“Margaret from the administrative folder.””
Carter leaned forward.
“Did he request anything else?””
“Yes. He asked whether we still had the original trust documents in the archive.””
My father closed his eyes.
“What did you tell him?””
“That the documents were kept in a secure file cabinet and that only you and the legal department had access.””
“Did he enter the archive?””
Helen paused.
“I saw him near the records room.””
My stomach tightened.
“Was anyone with him?””
“Yes.””
“Who?””
“Margaret.””
My father turned toward the phone.
“Margaret was in my office?””
“Yes. She said she had accompanied Derek because he was having trouble locating some paperwork.””
I stared at the table.
She had been there.
She had known where the documents were kept.
She.””
My father turned toward the phone.
“Margaret was in my office?””
“Yes. She said she had accompanied Derek because he was having trouble locating some paperwork.””
I stared at the table.
She had been there.
She had known where the documents were kept.
She had been helping Derek long before the hospital.
Carter asked, “Did you see them remove anything?””
“No. But the following morning, I noticed the archive cabinet hadn't been locked properly.””
My father rubbed his forehead.
“Why didn't you tell had been helping Derek long before the hospital.
Carter asked, “Did you see them remove anything?””
“No. But the following morning, I noticed the archive cabinet hadn't been locked properly.””
My father rubbed his forehead.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“I didn't think anything was missing. I only realized something might be wrong after I heard about the forged signature.””
Carter wrote down the details.
“Mrs. Foster, me?””
“I didn't think anything was missing. I only realized something might be wrong after I heard about the forged signature.””
Carter wrote down the details.
“Mrs. Foster, would you be willing to provide a formal statement?””
“Of course.””
After the call ended, nobody spoke for a moment.
Then my father said, “This goes back would you be willing to provide a formal statement?””
“Of course.””
After the call ended, nobody spoke for a moment.
Then my father said, “This goes back further than we thought.””
I looked at Carter.
“Could Margaret have obtained the original documents?””
“Possibly. But we'll need to establish what was accessed and whether anything was copied or removed.””
I swallowed.
“What if Derek used the originals to make the further than we thought.””
I looked at Carter.
“Could Margaret have obtained the original documents?””
“Possibly. But we'll need to establish what was accessed and whether anything was copied or removed.””
I swallowed.
“What if Derek used the originals to make the forged documents look legitimate?””
“That's one possibility.””
My father sat down.
“I want the entire archive reviewed.””
Carter nodded.
“We'll coordinate that.””
I looked toward the baby monitor on the table.
Maisie was sleeping forged documents look legitimate?””
“That's one possibility.””
My father sat down.
“I want the entire archive reviewed.””
Carter nodded.
“We'll coordinate that.””
I looked toward the baby monitor on the table.
Maisie was sleeping.
Her tiny face appeared on the screen.
I felt an overwhelming urge to pick her up.
I needed something real.
Something untouched by lies.
Her tiny face appeared on the screen.
I felt an overwhelming urge to pick her up.
I needed something real.
Something untouched by lies.
I walked into the nursery and lifted her carefully.
She made a small sound and settled against my shoulder.
“Your daddy made a terrible mistake,” I whispered.
Then I.
I walked into the nursery and lifted her carefully.
She made a small sound and settled against my shoulder.
“Your daddy made a terrible mistake,” I whispered.
Then I stopped.
It wasn't a mistake.
Not one mistake.
It was a series of choices.
And I wasn't going to teach my daughter that betrayal became acceptable just stopped.
It wasn't a mistake.
Not one mistake.
It was a series of choices.
And I wasn't going to teach my daughter that betrayal became acceptable just because someone called it complicated.
That afternoon, Vanessa called Carter's office.
She wanted to provide a formal statement.
He arranged for her to come in at 3:00 p.m.
I wasn't required to attend, but Carter asked whether I wanted to because someone called it complicated.
That afternoon, Vanessa called Carter's office.
She wanted to provide a formal statement.
He arranged for her to come in at 3:00 p.m.
I wasn't required to attend, but Carter asked whether I wanted to hear what she had to say.
I agreed.
Vanessa arrived wearing a gray coat and carrying a folder.
She looked different from the woman I had seen in my bedroom.
Her makeup was minimal.
Her hair was tied back.
She seemed exhausted.
C hear what she had to say.
I agreed.
Vanessa arrived wearing a gray coat and carrying a folder.
She looked different from the woman I had seen in my bedroom.
Her makeup was minimal.
Her hair was tied back.
She seemed exhausted.
Carter began by explaining that she should answer only questions she could truthfully address.
Then he asked her to describe her relationship with Derek.
Vanessa folded her hands.
“We started seeing each otherarter began by explaining that she should answer only questions she could truthfully address.
Then he asked her to describe her relationship with Derek.
Vanessa folded her hands.
“We started seeing each other about eight months ago.””
I looked at her.
“Did you know he was married?””
“Yes.””
“Did you know I was pregnant?””
“Yes.””
She lowered her eyes.
“I know about eight months ago.””
I looked at her.
“Did you know he was married?””
“Yes.””
“Did you know I was pregnant?””
“Yes.””
She lowered her eyes.
“I know how that sounds.””
“It sounds exactly like what it was.””
She nodded.
“I won't argue with you.””
Carter continued.
“Did Derek ever discuss the Richmond property?””
“Constantly.””
“What how that sounds.””
“It sounds exactly like what it was.””
She nodded.
“I won't argue with you.””
Carter continued.
“Did Derek ever discuss the Richmond property?””
“Constantly.””
“What did he tell you?””
“He said it belonged to him and Audrey jointly. He said her father had put it in some kind of did he tell you?””
“He said it belonged to him and Audrey jointly. He said her father had put it in some kind of family trust, but that Audrey would eventually approve a transfer.””
I looked at her.
“And you believed him?””
“He showed me documents.””
“What documents?””
“Copies of the property valuation and a draft ownership agreement.””
Carter asked whether she still had them.
family trust, but that Audrey would eventually approve a transfer.””
I looked at her.
“And you believed him?””
“He showed me documents.””
“What documents?””
“Copies of the property valuation and a draft ownership agreement.””
Carter asked whether she still had them.
Vanessa opened her folder.
“I saved photographs.””
She handed them over.
Carter examined the images.
One showed a draft agreement.
Another showed aVanessa opened her folder.
“I saved photographs.””
She handed them over.
Carter examined the images.
One showed a draft agreement.
Another showed a spreadsheet.
The third was a photograph of an email on Derek's computer.
I recognized the name at the top.
Margaret.
The message was dated nearly four months before my delivery.
*Once the property is transferred, spreadsheet.
The third was a photograph of an email on Derek's computer.
I recognized the name at the top.
Margaret.
The message was dated nearly four months before my delivery.
Once the property is transferred, the family will finally have the financial security it deserves. Audrey doesn't need to know every detail until the paperwork is complete the family will finally have the financial security it deserves. Audrey doesn't need to know every detail until the paperwork is complete.
I felt my throat tighten.
Carter asked Vanessa, “Did you know Margaret was involved?””
Vanessa nodded.
“She visited Derek several times when I was there.””
“What did they discuss?””
“Money. The.*
I felt my throat tighten.
Carter asked Vanessa, “Did you know Margaret was involved?””
Vanessa nodded.
“She visited Derek several times when I was there.””
“What did they discuss?””
“Money. The house. The new company.””
“Did you hear anything about Audrey's inheritance?””
Vanessa house. The new company.””
“Did you hear anything about Audrey's inheritance?””
Vanessa hesitated.
“Yes.””
“What?””
“Derek said the inheritance would be easier to access once Audrey was distracted with the baby.””
My stomach turned.
Carter remained composed.
“Did he explain how?””
“He said he had prepared documents for her to sign.””
hesitated.
“Yes.””
“What?””
“Derek said the inheritance would be easier to access once Audrey was distracted with the baby.””
My stomach turned.
Carter remained composed.
“Did he explain how?””
“He said he had prepared documents for her to sign.””
I looked at her.
“Did you know he intended to use my signature?””
Vanessa began crying.
“I suspected something was wrong. I didn't know the details.””
“You suspected it, but you stayed.””
SheI looked at her.
“Did you know he intended to use my signature?””
Vanessa began crying.
“I suspected something was wrong. I didn't know the details.””
“You suspected it, but you stayed.””
She nodded.
“Yes.””
I looked away.
There was no excuse for what she had done.
But her statement was giving us a clearer picture of the plan.
Carter examined another photograph.
“Vanessa, do nodded.
“Yes.””
I looked away.
There was no excuse for what she had done.
But her statement was giving us a clearer picture of the plan.
Carter examined another photograph.
“Vanessa, do you recognize this document?””
She leaned forward.
Her face changed.
“Yes.””
“What is it?””
“A draft agreement between Derek, Margaret, and my brother.””
“Ethan?””
She nodded.
“What was your brother supposed to receive?””
you recognize this document?””
She leaned forward.
Her face changed.
“Yes.””
“What is it?””
“A draft agreement between Derek, Margaret, and my brother.””
“Ethan?””
She nodded.
“What was your brother supposed to receive?””
“Twenty-five percent of the company.””
“And Margaret?””
“Twenty percent.””
Carter placed the document down.
“Did your brother know the property belonged to the trust?””
Vanessa looked at him.
“Yes.””
“Are you certain?””
“I“Twenty-five percent of the company.””
“And Margaret?””
“Twenty percent.””
Carter placed the document down.
“Did your brother know the property belonged to the trust?””
Vanessa looked at him.
“Yes.””
“Are you certain?””
“I heard them discussing it. Ethan said the trust could complicate things, but Derek told him he had a way around it.””
My father leaned forward.
“What way?””
Vanessa wiped her cheek.
“He said Audrey heard them discussing it. Ethan said the trust could complicate things, but Derek told him he had a way around it.””
My father leaned forward.
“What way?””
Vanessa wiped her cheek.
“He said Audrey would sign the documents after the baby was born. He also said that if her father objected, they could present the financing application as evidence that the family had already agreed.””
I stared at Carter.
“That would sign the documents after the baby was born. He also said that if her father objected, they could present the financing application as evidence that the family had already agreed.””
I stared at Carter.
“That makes no sense.””
“It may have been intended to create the appearance of an existing arrangement,” he explained.
“But an application does not establish ownership.””
Vanessa nodded.
“Ethan told Derek makes no sense.””
“It may have been intended to create the appearance of an existing arrangement,” he explained.
“But an application does not establish ownership.””
Vanessa nodded.
“Ethan told Derek he needed a signed acknowledgment.””
Carter asked, “Did your brother prepare the documents?””
“I don't know. But I saw him working on a laptop in Derek's office.””
“Was that the laptop containing he needed a signed acknowledgment.””
Carter asked, “Did your brother prepare the documents?””
“I don't know. But I saw him working on a laptop in Derek's office.””
“Was that the laptop containing the financing records?””
“I think so.””
Carter wrote something down.
Then Vanessa reached into her handbag.
“There is one more thing.””
She removed a small envelope.
the financing records?””
“I think so.””
Carter wrote something down.
Then Vanessa reached into her handbag.
“There is one more thing.””
She removed a small envelope.
“I found this in my apartment.””
Carter didn't touch it immediately.
“Where did it come from?””
“Derek gave it to me three weeks ago. He told me to keep it safe until the property transfer was completed.””
My heart began pounding.
“I found this in my apartment.””
Carter didn't touch it immediately.
“Where did it come from?””
“Derek gave it to me three weeks ago. He told me to keep it safe until the property transfer was completed.””
My heart began pounding.
“What is it?””
Vanessa opened the envelope.
Inside was a printed document with a bank logo.
Carter examined the first page.
Then his expression changed.
“Where did you get this?””
“I“What is it?””
Vanessa opened the envelope.
Inside was a printed document with a bank logo.
Carter examined the first page.
Then his expression changed.
“Where did you get this?””
“I just told you.””
He looked at the second page.
“Did Derek explain what it was?””
“He said it was proof that the financing had been arranged.””
Carter turned the page toward just told you.””
He looked at the second page.
“Did Derek explain what it was?””
“He said it was proof that the financing had been arranged.””
Carter turned the page toward my father.
It was a bank confirmation for an account connected to Halston Development Partners.
But there was another name listed my father.
It was a bank confirmation for an account connected to Halston Development Partners.
But there was another name listed as an authorized representative.
Thomas Vance.
My father went pale.
“That's impossible.””
Carter read the details.
Then he looked at me.
“This account appears to have been opened using your father's business as an authorized representative.
Thomas Vance.
My father went pale.
“That's impossible.””
Carter read the details.
Then he looked at me.
“This account appears to have been opened using your father's business information.””
My father shook his head.
“I never authorized it.””
Vanessa started crying again.
“Derek said everything was legal.””
I stared information.””
My father shook his head.
“I never authorized it.””
Vanessa started crying again.
“Derek said everything was legal.””
I stared at her.
“Did he tell you what the money was for?””
She nodded.
“He said he was going to use it to buy us a house.””
I felt something hard settle in my chest.
“And what happened at her.
“Did he tell you what the money was for?””
She nodded.
“He said he was going to use it to buy us a house.””
I felt something hard settle in my chest.
“And what happened to that plan?””
Vanessa looked at the document.
“He said the bank needed one final confirmation.””
“What confirmation?””
She swallowed.
“Your father's signature.””
At 5:30 p.m., Carter received a call from the bank to that plan?””
Vanessa looked at the document.
“He said the bank needed one final confirmation.””
“What confirmation?””
She swallowed.
“Your father's signature.””
At 5:30 p.m., Carter received a call from the bank.
He listened for several minutes.
Then he asked them to send the relevant account-opening records.
When he ended the call, he looked at my father.
“The account was opened three months ago.””
Dad's jaw tightened.
“Using my.
He listened for several minutes.
Then he asked them to send the relevant account-opening records.
When he ended the call, he looked at my father.
“The account was opened three months ago.””
Dad's jaw tightened.
“Using my information?””
“Yes.””
“Who signed the application?””
Carter glanced at the report.
“The electronic authorization is attributed to an individual using your business credentials.””
“Which individual?””
Carter paused.
“ information?””
“Yes.””
“Who signed the application?””
Carter glanced at the report.
“The electronic authorization is attributed to an individual using your business credentials.””
“Which individual?””
Carter paused.
“Martin Reeves.””
My father closed his eyes.
I looked at him.
“Martin?””
“He had access to the old system.””
Carter nodded.
“But the bank also identified a second authorization attempt.””
“By whom?”” I asked.
Martin Reeves.””
My father closed his eyes.
I looked at him.
“Martin?””
“He had access to the old system.””
Carter nodded.
“But the bank also identified a second authorization attempt.””
“By whom?”” I asked.
He turned the screen toward us.
The name was Margaret Halston.
I felt the room go silent.
My father stared at the screen.
Then he whispered, “She wasn'tHe turned the screen toward us.
The name was Margaret Halston.
I felt the room go silent.
My father stared at the screen.
Then he whispered, “She wasn't just helping Derek.””
Carter closed the laptop.
“No. It appears she was actively involved in the financial arrangement.””
I looked at the bank records.
Margaret had helped Derek with the documents.
She had helped him just helping Derek.””
Carter closed the laptop.
“No. It appears she was actively involved in the financial arrangement.””
I looked at the bank records.
Margaret had helped Derek with the documents.
She had helped him access the property records.
She had expected to receive twenty percent of the new company.
And now her name appeared in an attempted bank authorization.
I thought about her standing in access the property records.
She had expected to receive twenty percent of the new company.
And now her name appeared in an attempted bank authorization.
I thought about her standing in my bedroom.
Her calm expression.
Her words.
Please don't turn this into a scene.
I finally understood why she had wanted me quiet.
She had too much to lose if I started asking questions.
But as Carter prepared to notify the bank and preserve the evidence, my bedroom.
Her calm expression.
Her words.
Please don't turn this into a scene.
I finally understood why she had wanted me quiet.
She had too much to lose if I started asking questions.
But as Carter prepared to notify the bank and preserve the evidence, his assistant entered the room.
“Mr. Bennett, Derek Halston is downstairs.””
Carter frowned.
“Did he make an appointment?””
“No. his assistant entered the room.
“Mr. Bennett, Derek Halston is downstairs.””
Carter frowned.
“Did he make an appointment?””
“No. He says he needs to speak with Audrey immediately.””
I looked at my father.
Then toward the door.
Carter shook his head.
“He cannot come into this meeting without authorization.””
But Derek's voice He says he needs to speak with Audrey immediately.””
I looked at my father.
Then toward the door.
Carter shook his head.
“He cannot come into this meeting without authorization.””
But Derek's voice suddenly echoed from the hallway.
“I know she's in there!””
A moment later, his footsteps approached suddenly echoed from the hallway.
“I know she's in there!””
A moment later, his footsteps approached.
And then he appeared in the doorway.
He looked exhausted.
His shirt was wrinkled.
His eyes were bloodshot.
He looked at my father first.
Then Carter.
Finally, he looked at me.
.
And then he appeared in the doorway.
He looked exhausted.
His shirt was wrinkled.
His eyes were bloodshot.
He looked at my father first.
Then Carter.
Finally, he looked at me.
“Audrey,” he said.
I didn't move.
He stepped into the room.
“We need to talk. Alone.””
Carter stood.
“That isn't happening.””
Derek ignored him.
“Please.“Audrey,” he said.
I didn't move.
He stepped into the room.
“We need to talk. Alone.””
Carter stood.
“That isn't happening.””
Derek ignored him.
“Please. Just five minutes.””
I looked at the man I had married.
The man I had once trusted with my life.
Then I asked the one question I had been saving for him.
“Did you plan Just five minutes.””
I looked at the man I had married.
The man I had once trusted with my life.
Then I asked the one question I had been saving for him.
“Did you plan to take my mother's inheritance too?””
His expression changed.
Only for a second.
But I saw it.
He looked at Carter.
Then at my father.
And finally, he looked at the to take my mother's inheritance too?””
His expression changed.
Only for a second.
But I saw it.
He looked at Carter.
Then at my father.
And finally, he looked at the floor.
That was when I knew.
The answer was yes.
floor.
May you like
That was when I knew.
The answer was yes.
