Chapter 4: The Money My Father Took
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
Daniel's words seemed to hang in the conference room.
My father had transferred money from an account connected to Vanessa.
The same father who had spent his life teaching me that honesty mattered more than money.
The same father who had left me a letter warning me about my stepmother.
I looked at Daniel.
“Are you saying my father stole from Grandma?””
“No,” he replied carefully.
“I'm saying we need to understand why he moved the money before we decide what happened.””
“Where did he move it?””
Daniel opened a second folder.
“Into a protected account.””
“Whose account?””
“Yours.””
I stared at him.
“What?””
“Your father established an account in your name approximately four months before his death. It was designed to protect funds that he believed were being improperly accessed.””
“How much money?””
“Two hundred and forty thousand dollars.””
I covered my mouth.
“That much?””
Daniel nodded.
“Your father believed someone was systematically draining Evelyn's assets. He moved the money before it could disappear.””
“But why didn't he tell me?””
“Because he was afraid someone might pressure you into transferring it.””
I leaned back.
Everything was becoming more confusing.
“Then why did you say the account was connected to Vanessa?””
“Because the original funds came from a joint investment account that Vanessa had access to through a business arrangement with your father.””
Daniel placed another document in front of me.
It was a transaction history.
Several withdrawals had been made over the preceding eighteen months. The amounts were smaller at first, then increasingly large.
My father's transfer was the final transaction.
“Look at the dates,” Daniel said.
I studied the page.
One withdrawal had occurred two days after Grandpa's funeral anniversary.
Another had occurred the week Grandma was hospitalized.
The final transfer was dated three days before Dad's accident.
“Was Vanessa stealing money?””
“We suspect so. But there's a complication.””
“What complication?””
Daniel tapped a particular transaction.
“Your father approved this one.””
The amount was $75,000.
I recognized the date.
It was the day my father had told me he needed to meet someone about a business opportunity.
“Why would he approve it?””
Daniel didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he opened the sealed envelope.
Inside was a handwritten statement from my father.
He began reading.
I am transferring these funds because I have discovered that the money is being used for purposes unrelated to the family trust. I authorized the initial movement to prevent further losses, but I did not authorize the subsequent withdrawals.
Daniel stopped.
“There's more.””
He continued.
If Vanessa claims that I approved the entire arrangement, she is lying. If she claims that I gave her control over Evelyn's property, she is lying about that too.
I felt tears gathering in my eyes.
Then Daniel reached the final paragraph.
The only person who knows the complete story is Evelyn. She witnessed the original agreement. I need her to tell Maya what happened before Vanessa convinces everyone that I was responsible.
I looked up.
“Why didn't Grandma tell me?””
“Perhaps she hasn't been able to remember. Perhaps she's afraid.””
I thought about the way Grandma had pulled away from Vanessa.
Then I remembered her words.
She keeps telling me to sign things.
I stood.
“I need to get back to her.””
Daniel nodded.
“Before you leave, I want you to understand something. Don't confront Vanessa alone again. If she believes you have enough evidence to stop her, she may destroy whatever remains.””
I gathered the documents.
“Can you help protect Grandma?””
“I can contact the appropriate authorities and arrange for an independent review of the property records. But the medical situation needs immediate attention.””
“I've already contacted her doctor.””
“Good. Keep doing that.””
As I reached the door, Daniel called after me.
“Maya?””
I turned.
“Your father left one final instruction.””
“What?””
“If Evelyn remembers the night he called her, ask her what she heard in the background.””
“What was she supposed to hear?””
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
“A woman's voice.””
When I arrived at Grandma's house, Aunt Claire was standing in the kitchen.
She was holding a cup of tea.
“Where have you been?”” she asked.
“Meeting Dad's attorney.””
Her expression changed.
“What did he say?””
I explained everything.
The money.
The trust.
The missing $186,000.
And the possibility that Grandma knew what happened the night Dad died.
Claire sat down slowly.
“I always knew Vanessa was hiding something.””
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because your father asked me not to.””
“That isn't good enough anymore.””
Claire lowered her eyes.
“You're right.””
Before I could ask another question, a noise came from the hallway.
Grandma was calling.
“Maya?””
I rushed into her bedroom.
She was sitting upright, clutching the blanket.
“I'm here.””
She looked frightened.
“Did you speak to the lawyer?””
“Yes, Grandma.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Did he show you the letter?””
“Yes.””
She took my hand.
“Then you need to know about the money.””
I pulled a chair beside her.
“What money?””
Grandma swallowed.
“Your grandfather left me something. Not just the house. He left me money for you.””
I leaned closer.
“How much?””
“Enough to make sure you never had to beg anyone for anything.””
I squeezed her hand.
“Where is it?””
Grandma looked toward the bedroom door.
“Vanessa found out about it.””
“How?””
“She found the old papers in your father's desk.””
My heart started racing.
“What did she do?””
Grandma's voice trembled.
“She told your father that she knew about the account. She threatened to tell everyone he had been stealing.””
“But he wasn't.””
Grandma nodded.
“He was trying to protect you.””
Then she closed her eyes.
“And the night he died…”
I held my breath.
“What happened that night?””
Grandma opened her mouth.
But before she could answer, the front door slammed.
Vanessa's voice rang through the house.
“Evelyn! Where are you?””
Grandma immediately grabbed my wrist.
“Don't let her take the blue book.””
I looked at her.
“What blue book?””
She pointed weakly toward the wardrobe.
“Your grandfather's notebook.””
I opened the wardrobe.
Behind a stack of folded blankets sat a small wooden box.
Inside was a faded blue notebook.
I opened it.
The first page contained my grandfather's handwriting.
And the last page had one sentence written in red ink.
*If anything happens to Richard, check the security recording from October 14.*
Richard.
My father.
October 14 was the night he died.
I turned toward Grandma.
“Where's the recording?””
Her lips trembled.
“Vanessa has it.””
At that moment, footsteps stopped outside the bedroom.
The door handle began to turn.
May you like
And Vanessa said something that made my blood run cold.
“I know you found the notebook, Maya.””
