Chapter 4: The Signature That Wasn't Mine
"Nobody leaves this room.""
Jonathan's voice was quiet, but it stopped everyone.
Patricia had one hand on the conference room door. Daniel stood beside the table, staring at the property agreement as if the paper might somehow disappear.
I picked up the document again.
My name was printed beneath the signature.
Nia Hayes Whitmore.
The signature looked convincing. The same capital N. The same unusual curve beneath the final e. Even the small line I always added beneath the H was there.
But I hadn't signed it.
"Who prepared this agreement?"" I asked.
Jonathan turned to his assistant.
"Call the attorney listed on the final page. Tell him we need an immediate explanation.""
Patricia shook her head.
"This is getting ridiculous. We don't even know whether the document is legitimate.""
I looked at her.
"You're right. We don't.""
Then I pointed at the transfer confirmation.
"But we know that $1.2 million left a company account three days ago.""
Daniel rubbed his face.
"Nia, please. Let me explain.""
"Then explain.""
He glanced at his mother.
Patricia immediately snapped, "Don't say anything without speaking to my attorney.""
I stared at them.
It was remarkable.
Even now, even with millions of dollars potentially missing, Patricia was more concerned about controlling the conversation than telling the truth.
Jonathan's assistant returned.
"The attorney is unavailable. His office says he's traveling.""
"Where?"" Jonathan asked.
"They wouldn't say.""
Jonathan nodded grimly.
"Find out who owns the firm and whether this agreement was ever filed.""
I turned to Daniel.
"Did you know about the house?""
He hesitated.
"Yes.""
The room became painfully quiet.
I felt something cold settle in my stomach.
"Did you know my signature was on the agreement?""
Daniel swallowed.
"I knew there was paperwork.""
"That's not what I asked.""
He looked down.
"Yes.""
Patricia closed her eyes.
"Daniel, stop talking.""
I stepped toward him.
"You knew someone had signed my name?""
"I didn't personally forge anything.""
"That's a very specific answer.""
He looked at me.
"I thought it was temporary.""
"What was temporary?""
"The property. The money. All of it.""
I stared at him.
He continued, speaking faster.
"Mom wanted to secure an investment before the acquisition closed. The company was going to receive the money back once the property was sold.""
"Why was it purchased in my name?""
"Because—"
He stopped.
"Because what?""
Patricia finally intervened.
"Because the property needed to be held through someone whose financial background wouldn't attract unnecessary attention.""
I looked at her.
"You mean someone whose name you could use without permission.""
"Don't twist my words.""
"Then explain them.""
She folded her arms.
"You were never supposed to know about the transaction.""
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Not because I was surprised.
Because she had said it so casually.
As if using my identity to move company money was an ordinary family arrangement.
Richard stood.
"I think we have enough to justify a formal investigation.""
Patricia turned toward him.
"You've been waiting years to undermine this family.""
"No," Richard replied.
"I've been waiting years for someone to explain why our accounts never balance.""
Daniel suddenly raised his voice.
"Can everyone stop acting like I'm some criminal? I was trying to protect the company!""
I looked at him.
"From whom?""
He didn't answer.
Jonathan collected the documents.
"Until the investigation is complete, nobody here is authorized to access the relevant accounts or alter corporate records. We'll preserve every electronic communication and notify the appropriate authorities.""
Patricia grabbed her handbag.
"You cannot keep me here.""
"Nobody is keeping you here," Jonathan said.
"But you will not be taking company documents with you.""
She stared at him.
Then she turned to me.
"You think you've won something tonight?""
I met her gaze.
"No. I think I've finally discovered what I've been married into.""
She walked out.
Daniel followed, but I stopped him.
"Not you.""
He turned.
"Nia—"
"Sit down.""
For the first time in three years, he obeyed me without arguing.
I waited until the conference room was nearly empty.
Then I placed my wedding ring on the table.
Daniel stared at it.
"What are you doing?""
"Making one decision without asking your permission.""
He looked genuinely frightened.
"Don't do this.""
"You knew about the forged signature.""
"I didn't authorize it!""
"But you knew.""
He leaned forward.
"I love you.""
I looked at him for a long moment.
"Then why did you let your mother spend three years treating me like I was beneath her?""
He opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
I picked up my handbag.
"I'm going home to collect my things.""
"Our home?""
I stopped.
"Is it?""
He looked away.
That night, I stayed in a hotel.
At 2:13 a.m., my phone rang.
It was Jonathan.
"Nia, we've identified the Delaware company.""
"Who owns it?""
"That's what makes this worse.""
I sat upright.
"Tell me.""
"The company was incorporated under a holding structure connected to someone in your father's former business circle.""
My heart began pounding.
"Who?""
Jonathan paused.
"Your father's former financial adviser.""
I gripped the phone.
"That man retired ten years ago.""
"Apparently, he didn't disappear.""
May you like
Then Jonathan said something that made the room feel suddenly smaller.
"Nia, I don't think Patricia created this scheme. I think someone has been using her to get close to your inheritance for much longer than we realized.""
