Chapter 3: The Money My Husband Thought I Would Never Find
"Give me the envelope.""
Ethan reached for my handbag again.
I stepped backward, striking the edge of a serving trolley. Silver me the envelope.""
Ethan reached for my handbag again.
I stepped backward, striking the edge of a serving trolley. Silver cutlery rattled, and a champagne flute tipped onto the carpet.
"Don't touch me," cutlery rattled, and a champagne flute tipped onto the carpet.
"Don't touch me," I said.
My voice sounded unfamiliar. It was steadier than I felt.
Ethan stopped.
Around us, forty executives watched the I said.
My voice sounded unfamiliar. It was steadier than I felt.
Ethan stopped.
Around us, forty executives watched the CEO of Hawthorne Industries lose control in the middle of his own anniversary dinner.
He glanced at the board members, then softened his expression.
"Claire, sweetheart, you're upset. You've CEO of Hawthorne Industries lose control in the middle of his own anniversary dinner.
He glanced at the board members, then softened his expression.
"Claire, sweetheart, you're upset. You've had a long evening. Let me take you somewhere quiet.""
He extended his hand.
The same hand that had a long evening. Let me take you somewhere quiet.""
He extended his hand.
The same hand that had moved my chair away from me less than an hour earlier.
I looked at it.
"No.""
His had moved my chair away from me less than an hour earlier.
I looked at it.
"No.""
His smile vanished.
"You're making a mistake.""
"Then explain the money.""
He glanced at the envelope.
"What money?""
"The money smile vanished.
"You're making a mistake.""
"Then explain the money.""
He glanced at the envelope.
"What money?""
"The money I invested in Sterling Technologies. Why was it transferred to Meridian Capital?""
Vanessa rose so abruptly I invested in Sterling Technologies. Why was it transferred to Meridian Capital?""
Vanessa rose so abruptly that her chair scraped against the floor.
"Those records are confidential.""
My father turned toward her.
"Not when that her chair scraped against the floor.
"Those records are confidential.""
My father turned toward her.
"Not when they concern the misappropriation of company funds.""
"They don't prove anything," she protested.
"Meridian they concern the misappropriation of company funds.""
"They don't prove anything," she protested.
"Meridian provided legitimate consulting services.""
"At what rate?"" Richard Cole asked.
Vanessa looked at provided legitimate consulting services.""
"At what rate?"" Richard Cole asked.
Vanessa looked at him.
Richard removed a pair of glasses from his jacket pocket and opened a folder he'd brought to the dinner.
"Because him.
Richard removed a pair of glasses from his jacket pocket and opened a folder he'd brought to the dinner.
"Because the invoices I reviewed show payments totaling nearly six million dollars for services that nobody in my department can verify the invoices I reviewed show payments totaling nearly six million dollars for services that nobody in my department can verify.""
Ethan stared at him.
"You told me the audit was complete.""
"I told you the audit was incomplete.""
"You approved the payments.""
"I approved.""
Ethan stared at him.
"You told me the audit was complete.""
"I told you the audit was incomplete.""
"You approved the payments.""
"I approved the first two based on the documentation your office supplied. When the supporting records failed to materialize, I froze the first two based on the documentation your office supplied. When the supporting records failed to materialize, I froze the remaining transfers.""
Richard laid several pages on the table.
"Someone then the remaining transfers.""
Richard laid several pages on the table.
"Someone then authorized the payments through a secondary account.""
My father looked toward Ethan.
"Whose authorization?""
Richard authorized the payments through a secondary account.""
My father looked toward Ethan.
"Whose authorization?""
Richard swallowed.
"The CEO's.""
A murmur swept through the room.
Ethan laughed, but the swallowed.
"The CEO's.""
A murmur swept through the room.
Ethan laughed, but the sound came out thin.
"This is absurd. Anyone can print a document and put my name on it.""
"That's sound came out thin.
"This is absurd. Anyone can print a document and put my name on it.""
"That's why we brought the originals," Richard replied.
He placed a sealed envelope beside the financial records.
"The bank's transaction why we brought the originals," Richard replied.
He placed a sealed envelope beside the financial records.
"The bank's transaction confirmations are inside. So are the authorization logs.""
Vanessa's face had turned white.
I confirmations are inside. So are the authorization logs.""
Vanessa's face had turned white.
I watched her reach for her handbag.
My father noticed.
"Don't leave, Miss Reed.""
She froze.
"I wasn't leaving watched her reach for her handbag.
My father noticed.
"Don't leave, Miss Reed.""
She froze.
"I wasn't leaving.""
"You were reaching for your phone.""
"Am I not allowed to use my phone?""
"Of course. But I'd.""
"You were reaching for your phone.""
"Am I not allowed to use my phone?""
"Of course. But I'd be interested to know whom you intend to call.""
Her fingers tightened around the bag's handle.
Ethan stepped forward.
"This be interested to know whom you intend to call.""
Her fingers tightened around the bag's handle.
Ethan stepped forward.
"This has gone far enough.""
He turned to the executives.
"My father-in-law is using an internal disagreement has gone far enough.""
He turned to the executives.
"My father-in-law is using an internal disagreement to undermine my leadership. He has never accepted that the company needs to move beyond the old way of doing to undermine my leadership. He has never accepted that the company needs to move beyond the old way of doing business.""
My father didn't answer.
Ethan continued, growing more confident with every sentence.
"Claire business.""
My father didn't answer.
Ethan continued, growing more confident with every sentence.
"Claire's inheritance was invested in a legitimate acquisition. The company has benefited enormously from that investment. Meridian Capital handled several aspects of the transaction's inheritance was invested in a legitimate acquisition.
The company has benefited enormously from that investment. Meridian Capital handled several aspects of the transaction, and any discrepancies can be resolved through the appropriate channels.""
He looked directly at me.
"Your father is, and any discrepancies can be resolved through the appropriate channels.""
He looked directly at me.
"Your father is making you part of a business dispute you don't understand.""
For years, those words would have worked.
He making you part of a business dispute you don't understand.""
For years, those words would have worked.
He had always been skilled at making me doubt myself.
When he forgot our anniversary, had always been skilled at making me doubt myself.
When he forgot our anniversary, he said I was too sensitive about dates.
When he canceled our weekend trips, he said he said I was too sensitive about dates.
When he canceled our weekend trips, he said I didn't understand the demands of running a company.
When I questioned Vanessa's sudden promotion, he accused me of being jealous.
And when I discovered hotel charges I didn't understand the demands of running a company.
When I questioned Vanessa's sudden promotion, he accused me of being jealous.
And when I discovered hotel charges on his corporate card, he told me I was imagining things because pregnancy had made me anxious.
I had apologized to him for checking on his corporate card, he told me I was imagining things because pregnancy had made me anxious.
I had apologized to him for checking the statements.
I had apologized for asking questions.
I had even apologized for crying after he missed our daughter's the statements.
I had apologized for asking questions.
I had even apologized for crying after he missed our daughter's first ultrasound because Vanessa needed him at an "urgent client meeting.""
Now he was trying the same trick in front of everyone.
But something first ultrasound because Vanessa needed him at an "urgent client meeting.""
Now he was trying the same trick in front of everyone.
But something inside me had finally stopped cooperating.
"I understand the money I invested," I said.
"I understand that I inside me had finally stopped cooperating.
"I understand the money I invested," I said.
"I understand that I was told Sterling Technologies would become a wholly owned subsidiary of Hawthorne Industries.""
Ethan opened his mouth.
I continued.
"I understand that the ownership was told Sterling Technologies would become a wholly owned subsidiary of Hawthorne Industries.""
Ethan opened his mouth.
I continued.
"I understand that the ownership documents I received were different from the documents filed with the state. And I understand that Meridian Capital received payments documents I received were different from the documents filed with the state. And I understand that Meridian Capital received payments it couldn't justify.""
I lifted the fourth page.
"What I don't understand is why the it couldn't justify.""
I lifted the fourth page.
"What I don't understand is why the director of Meridian Capital is sitting beside my husband at our anniversary dinner.""
Vanessa's compos director of Meridian Capital is sitting beside my husband at our anniversary dinner.""
Vanessa's composure cracked.
"Because I earned my position.""
"Your position as director of a company receivingure cracked.
"Because I earned my position.""
"Your position as director of a company receiving millions from my family's business?""
"I had nothing to do with the original transfer.""
Richard slid another document across the table.
millions from my family's business?""
"I had nothing to do with the original transfer.""
Richard slid another document across the table.
"Your signature appears on the account instructions.""
Vanessa stared at the page.
For a moment, I thought she might deny it.
Instead,"Your signature appears on the account instructions.""
Vanessa stared at the page.
For a moment, I thought she might deny it.
Instead, she turned toward Ethan.
"You told me the paperwork had been handled.""
He looked at her sharply.
"Not another word.""
Her eyes widened.
"You said there was she turned toward Ethan.
"You told me the paperwork had been handled.""
He looked at her sharply.
"Not another word.""
Her eyes widened.
"You said there was no risk.""
"Vanessa.""
"You said Arthur would sign the authorization tonight, and everything would be protected!""
no risk.""
"Vanessa.""
"You said Arthur would sign the authorization tonight, and everything would be protected!""
The ballroom went silent.
My father closed his eyes briefly.
There it was.
Not a confession to everyThe ballroom went silent.
My father closed his eyes briefly.
There it was.
Not a confession to every crime. Not proof of every suspicion.
But an admission that the two of them had planned tonight's transfer before crime. Not proof of every suspicion.
But an admission that the two of them had planned tonight's transfer before they entered the ballroom.
I felt my daughter move beneath my ribs.
I pressed a they entered the ballroom.
I felt my daughter move beneath my ribs.
I pressed a hand against my stomach.
"How long?"" I asked.
Neither of them answered.
"How long have you been together?""
Vanessa looked away.
Ethan hand against my stomach.
"How long?"" I asked.
Neither of them answered.
"How long have you been together?""
Vanessa looked away.
Ethan's face hardened.
"This has nothing to do with the company.""
"Then you's face hardened.
"This has nothing to do with the company.""
"Then you won't mind answering.""
"Claire, stop.""
"Six months? A year?""
won't mind answering.""
"Claire, stop.""
"Six months? A year?""
He leaned toward me.
"You have no idea what you're doing.""
"I know youHe leaned toward me.
"You have no idea what you're doing.""
"I know you bought her a diamond bracelet with money charged to the company. I know you lied about your meetings. And I know bought her a diamond bracelet with money charged to the company.
I know you lied about your meetings. And I know you moved my inheritance into an account controlled by your mistress.""
The last word echoed through you moved my inheritance into an account controlled by your mistress.""
The last word echoed through the room.
Vanessa flinched.
Ethan grabbed my wrist.
"Enough.""
Pain shot through my arm.
Before I could pull away, my father was the room.
Vanessa flinched.
Ethan grabbed my wrist.
"Enough.""
Pain shot through my arm.
Before I could pull away, my father was beside us.
"Let go of my daughter.""
Ethan released me.
My father positioned himself between us.
For the first time that night, I allowed beside us.
"Let go of my daughter.""
Ethan released me.
My father positioned himself between us.
For the first time that night, I allowed myself to lean against him.
"Are you all right?"" he whispered.
I nodded, although my heart was racing.
"Then listen carefully," he said.
" myself to lean against him.
"Are you all right?"" he whispered.
I nodded, although my heart was racing.
"Then listen carefully," he said.
"You do not have to protect him anymore.""
I looked at him.
"I thought you trusted him.""
"I trusted him because you did.""
His voice broke slightlyYou do not have to protect him anymore.""
I looked at him.
"I thought you trusted him.""
"I trusted him because you did.""
His voice broke slightly.
"And I should have asked more questions.""
Across the room, Ethan straightened his jacket.
"Arthur, this is a private family matter.""
"No,".
"And I should have asked more questions.""
Across the room, Ethan straightened his jacket.
"Arthur, this is a private family matter.""
"No," my father said.
"You made it a corporate matter when you attempted to transfer voting control through a document you had no authority to execute.""
He turned to the board.
my father said.
"You made it a corporate matter when you attempted to transfer voting control through a document you had no authority to execute.""
He turned to the board.
"I am suspending Ethan's signing authority pending an independent investigation. Richard, preserve every financial record. Margaret, contact the company's external counsel.""
E"I am suspending Ethan's signing authority pending an independent investigation. Richard, preserve every financial record. Margaret, contact the company's external counsel.""
Ethan's face darkened.
"You can't suspend me.""
"I can, and I have.""
"You need the board's approvalthan's face darkened.
"You can't suspend me.""
"I can, and I have.""
"You need the board's approval.""
My father nodded toward the secretary.
"Then call an emergency vote.""
Daniel Price rose slowly.
"Before we vote, Arthur, there's something you.""
My father nodded toward the secretary.
"Then call an emergency vote.""
Daniel Price rose slowly.
"Before we vote, Arthur, there's something you should know.""
My father turned.
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
"Three weeks ago, Ethan approached several directors with a proposal to restructure the company. He told us that Claire had should know.""
My father turned.
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
"Three weeks ago, Ethan approached several directors with a proposal to restructure the company. He told us that Claire had agreed to transfer her voting rights to him after the baby was born.""
I stared at my husband.
"What?""
Ethan said agreed to transfer her voting rights to him after the baby was born.""
I stared at my husband.
"What?""
Ethan said nothing.
Daniel continued.
"He presented a document bearing what appeared to be nothing.
Daniel continued.
"He presented a document bearing what appeared to be your signature.""
The room tilted around me.
"I never signed anything.""
"I believe you," Daniel said.
He removed a your signature.""
The room tilted around me.
"I never signed anything.""
"I believe you," Daniel said.
He removed a copy from his folder.
The signature at the bottom looked almost exactly like mine.
My name.
My handwriting.
My consent to copy from his folder.
The signature at the bottom looked almost exactly like mine.
My name.
My handwriting.
My consent to transfer my shares to Ethan.
But I'd never seen the document before.
My father took it from Daniel.
transfer my shares to Ethan.
But I'd never seen the document before.
My father took it from Daniel.
"This is a serious matter," he said.
"We will have the signature examined.""
Ethan's face had gone"This is a serious matter," he said.
"We will have the signature examined.""
Ethan's face had gone strangely calm.
"That document was a draft.""
"Then why did you present it as strangely calm.
"That document was a draft.""
"Then why did you present it as evidence of your wife's consent?"" my father asked.
"I was preparing for a possible transition evidence of your wife's consent?"" my father asked.
"I was preparing for a possible transition.""
"Without her knowledge?""
Ethan didn't answer.
A security officer approached and quietly informed my father that the company lawyer was on the phone.
My father stepped away to.""
"Without her knowledge?""
Ethan didn't answer.
A security officer approached and quietly informed my father that the company lawyer was on the phone.
My father stepped away to take the call.
I stood beside the table, staring at the forged signature.
I had thought the affair was the worst take the call.
I stood beside the table, staring at the forged signature.
I had thought the affair was the worst betrayal.
I had thought the stolen money was the worst betrayal.
Now I was beginning to understand that Ethan had been preparing to take everything I betrayal.
I had thought the stolen money was the worst betrayal.
Now I was beginning to understand that Ethan had been preparing to take everything I owned while convincing me that I was too emotional to notice.
Vanessa suddenly grabbed her coat.
"I need to leave.""
The security officer blocked owned while convincing me that I was too emotional to notice.
Vanessa suddenly grabbed her coat.
"I need to leave.""
The security officer blocked her path.
"Ma'am, Mr. Hawthorne asked everyone to remain until counsel arrives.""
"I'm not an employee anymore," she snapped.
"Then you should have no objection her path.
"Ma'am, Mr. Hawthorne asked everyone to remain until counsel arrives.""
"I'm not an employee anymore," she snapped.
"Then you should have no objection to waiting.""
She turned toward Ethan.
He wouldn't look at her.
For the first time, she to waiting.""
She turned toward Ethan.
He wouldn't look at her.
For the first time, she seemed to understand that the man she'd chosen might not be able to save her.
My father returned seemed to understand that the man she'd chosen might not be able to save her.
My father returned, his expression grave.
"Claire," he said, "we need to talk somewhere private.""
"About, his expression grave.
"Claire," he said, "we need to talk somewhere private.""
"About what?""
He glanced at Ethan, then at the forged document in his hand.
"About your mother's estate.""
My stomach tightened.
"What does Mom have to do with this?""
He took a breath.
" what?""
He glanced at Ethan, then at the forged document in his hand.
"About your mother's estate.""
My stomach tightened.
"What does Mom have to do with this?""
He took a breath.
"Three months before she died, your mother changed the terms of her trust. She left instructions that were supposedThree months before she died, your mother changed the terms of her trust. She left instructions that were supposed to be revealed when you reached a specific point in your life.""
"Which to be revealed when you reached a specific point in your life.""
"Which point?""
My father looked toward my husband.
"She anticipated that someone point?""
My father looked toward my husband.
"She anticipated that someone might try to take control of your inheritance.""
He handed me a small, sealed envelope.
My name was written across it in my mother's handwriting might try to take control of your inheritance.""
He handed me a small, sealed envelope.
My name was written across it in my mother's handwriting.
The handwriting I'd kept on birthday cards and handwritten recipes for years.
My.
The handwriting I'd kept on birthday cards and handwritten recipes for years.
My fingers trembled as I broke the seal.
Inside was a single page.
The first line made my blood run cold.
*My darling Claire, if you're reading this, then fingers trembled as I broke the seal.
Inside was a single page.
The first line made my blood run cold.
My darling Claire, if you're reading this, then the man you married has finally shown you who he really is.
I looked up at my father.
" the man you married has finally shown you who he really is.*
I looked up at my father.
"How did she know?""
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he said something that changed everything I thought I understood about my marriage.
"Because EthanHow did she know?""
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he said something that changed everything I thought I understood about my marriage.
"Because Ethan wasn't the first man who tried to get his hands on your inheritance.""
He glanced toward the ballroom doors.
"And your mother knew exactly who had sent him into wasn't the first man who tried to get his hands on your inheritance.""
He glanced toward the ballroom doors.
May you like
"And your mother knew exactly who had sent him into our lives.""
our lives.""
