Chapter 7: The Money Beneath His Signature
Naomi stared at the page until the numbers blurred.
Her husband's name appeared beside a transfer dated six months earlier. Beneath it was the name of a company she had never heard of, followed by an amount large enough to make her fingers go cold.
Daniel shook his head.
“I've never seen that document.””
Marcus Reed stood across the reception counter, his expression grave.
“Your signature appears on the authorization. Whether you understood the transaction, and who ultimately benefited, will need to be established through an independent review.””
Daniel snatched a closer look at the page.
“That account belongs to my company.””
“According to the preliminary records, yes.””
“So the money was mine to move.””
Marcus didn't raise his voice.
“The account was funded in part by an investment arrangement connected to Naomi's father's estate. Your company's access to those funds was subject to restrictions.””
Daniel looked at Victoria.
“You said the money was a loan.””
“It was.””
“You said Grandpa had approved it.””
Victoria's mouth opened, but no answer came.
Daniel took another step toward her.
“Did he approve it?””
“Daniel, you don't understand what was happening at the time.””
“Then explain it!””
A baby began crying in the seating area. Naomi rocked her daughter gently, barely noticing the sound of the hotel around her.
She had spent years believing that the worst thing her husband could do was disappoint her.
Now she was beginning to wonder whether she had ever truly known him.
Marcus retrieved the document from Daniel's shaking hands.
“We have a preliminary record of three transfers. The most recent was made six months ago. The others occurred before Naomi's pregnancy.””
Daniel's face tightened.
“Where did the money go?””
“Some was used to cover company liabilities. Other amounts were transferred to an account controlled by a separate holding company.””
“Whose holding company?””
Marcus glanced at Victoria.
“That's one of the questions the investigation must answer.””
Victoria grabbed her handbag.
“This conversation is over.””
She turned toward the entrance.
The security guard stepped aside, but Marcus spoke before she could reach the revolving doors.
“Victoria, please understand that leaving the hotel won't end the review. The relevant records have already been preserved.””
She stopped.
“What records?””
“The transaction logs, the authorization documents, and the correspondence associated with the transfers.””
Victoria slowly turned back.
For the first time, Naomi saw something beyond anger in her mother-in-law's expression.
Fear.
Daniel noticed it, too.
“Mom, what did you do?””
Victoria looked at her son as if she were seeing a stranger.
“I kept you from losing everything.””
“You keep saying that. But every time I ask what you mean, you refuse to answer.””
“Because you aren't ready to hear it!””
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“When was I supposed to be ready? After you took over my business? After you convinced me my wife was a threat? After I threw my own child out of a hotel because you told me to?””
His voice broke on the final words.
Naomi looked down at her daughter.
The baby had stopped crying. Her tiny fingers curled around the edge of the blanket, completely unaware that the adults around her were dismantling the story they had lived inside for years.
Daniel approached Naomi slowly.
“Please let me explain.””
She lifted her eyes.
“Explain what?””
“I knew about the transfers, but I thought they were legitimate. Mom told me the estate had approved everything.””
“And when did you find out that might not be true?””
He hesitated.
Naomi's expression hardened.
“When, Daniel?””
“Three weeks ago.””
The answer felt like a door slamming shut.
“Three weeks ago?””
He nodded miserably.
“I received a notice from the company's auditors. They asked for documents relating to the investment arrangement. Mom told me it was an administrative issue.””
“And you believed her?””
“I wanted to believe her.””
Naomi looked at him for several seconds.
“That isn't the same thing.””
“No.””
“Did you tell me?””
“No.””
“Did you ask my father’s estate attorney to verify it?””
Daniel lowered his head.
“No.””
“Instead, you let your mother convince you that I was the problem.””
He covered his face with one hand.
“I was scared.””
“So was I.””
The words came quietly.
Naomi looked at the marble floor where she had stood earlier, holding her newborn while her husband refused to defend her.
“I was scared when you stopped coming home on time. I was scared when your mother started asking about my father's papers. I was scared when you told me that signing documents I didn't understand was the only way to protect our family.””
Daniel's head lifted.
“What documents?””
Naomi turned toward Marcus.
“I have copies of everything she brought to my apartment.””
Marcus nodded.
“Please send them directly to the estate attorney. Don't give the originals to anyone involved in the dispute.””
Victoria suddenly stepped forward.
“Those papers were routine.””
Naomi looked at her.
“Then you won't mind anyone reading them.””
Victoria's lips pressed together.
Daniel stared at his mother.
“You told me Naomi was trying to take control of the company.””
“I told you she could destroy us.””
“Why?””
“Because if she learned what your grandfather had done, she would have every reason to demand an accounting.””
Marcus interrupted.
“Victoria, what did you mean when you said the money was borrowed?””
She looked away.
“I meant exactly that.””
“Was there a written loan agreement?””
Silence.
“Was the estate informed?””
Another silence.
Marcus closed his folder.
“Then we have a serious discrepancy.””
Daniel backed away from his mother.
“You used me.””
“I protected you!””
“You used my signature.””
“I did what I had to do!””
Victoria's voice echoed across the lobby. She seemed to realize how many people were watching, because she immediately lowered it.
“Daniel, think about what you're doing. Everything you have—the house, the company, your position—came from years of sacrifice.””
“And how much of it came from Naomi's father?””
Victoria's eyes filled with tears.
She didn't answer.
Then Marcus's phone rang.
He listened for several seconds before speaking.
“Yes. We're together now.””
He glanced at Naomi.
“Have you confirmed the identity of the person who sent the warning?””
Naomi's heart pounded.
Marcus listened again.
Then his expression changed.
“Understood. Please preserve the original message.””
He ended the call.
Daniel stared at him.
“What is it?””
Marcus looked from Daniel to Victoria.
“The warning sent to Naomi three weeks ago wasn't anonymous after all.””
Naomi tightened her hold on the baby.
“Who sent it?””
Marcus paused.
Then he gave the answer that made Daniel's face turn white.
“The message came from someone inside your mother's office.””
Victoria stumbled backward.
Daniel whispered, “Who?””
Marcus looked directly at her.
“Her personal assistant.””
Victoria's lips parted.
Then she said, barely audibly, “That girl was supposed to keep quiet.””
Naomi went completely still.
Because Victoria hadn't asked what the assistant had told them.
May you like
She had just admitted that there was something to tell.
And Marcus had heard every word.
