Chapter 11: The Wedding Was the Trigger
Rebecca spread the amended document across my mother's desk.
"Nobody should assume this is authentic until we've examined the original," she said.
Mom nodded.
"But the wording is familiar.""
"Why?""
"Daniel discussed something similar with Richard before he died.""
Richard adjusted his glasses.
"Yes. The youngest beneficiary's thirtieth birthday was originally the date when the trust could be reviewed. But Daniel added a protective clause after discovering Thomas's activities.""
I looked at Brielle.
"Your birthday is next month.""
She nodded.
"November twenty-third.""
Rebecca examined the amendment.
"According to this document, the review date was changed to the date of Nia's marriage.""
"Can they do that?"" I asked.
"Not without the required approvals.""
"Which they don't have.""
"Correct.""
Mom took the paper.
"Then why did they need Nia to marry Marcus?""
Richard answered.
"Because the amended document attempts to classify the marriage as a qualifying family merger.""
I stared at him.
"A what?""
"A legal arrangement that would supposedly combine certain interests through marriage.""
Rebecca shook her head.
"That language has no legal effect without valid authorization. But whoever prepared this document was trying to create the appearance that the marriage activated a transfer provision.""
My stomach tightened.
"So they wanted to use my marriage as evidence that I had agreed to merge the family assets.""
"Precisely.""
I thought about Marcus standing beside me at the altar.
His vows.
His smile.
The way he had squeezed my hands when the officiant asked whether I accepted him.
Had any of it been real?
My phone rang.
Marcus.
I answered and put him on speaker.
"Why did you send me that document?""
"Because you deserve to know the truth.""
"Then tell me why your family needed my wedding.""
He sighed.
"My father and Thomas had an arrangement. The properties were supposed to be transferred into a new holding company.""
"Without my mother's permission?""
"She was supposed to approve it.""
"She refused.""
"Because she didn't understand what we were trying to do.""
My mother leaned toward the phone.
"Marcus, I understood perfectly. Your father wanted control of properties he had no right to own.""
He fell silent.
Then he said, "Mrs. Carter, you have to understand what happened to my family.""
Mom's voice was firm.
"I understand that your mother lost a child. I understand that Daniel's death left complicated emotions. But none of that gives you the right to steal from his daughters.""
Marcus exhaled.
"Thomas promised my father that the transfer would solve everything.""
"How much did he promise him?"" Rebecca asked.
Marcus didn't answer.
I repeated the question.
"How much?""
"Twenty million.""
I looked at Mom.
Marcus continued.
"Thomas told my father that if the properties were transferred, he would receive a share of the development profits. Patricia was supposed to receive compensation too.""
"And what were you supposed to receive?"" I asked.
Silence.
"Marcus?""
"An executive position.""
"Anything else?""
He hesitated.
"Some equity.""
I laughed bitterly.
"So you were willing to marry me for a position and shares in a company.""
"That's not fair.""
"Then what is fair?""
"I did love you, Nia.""
"Did you?""
He sounded angry now.
"Yes! I wanted a life with you. But my family needed help.""
"And you decided my mother's money was the solution.""
"Your mother has more than enough.""
I looked at Evelyn.
She was watching me quietly.
I asked one final question.
"Did you ever intend to tell me about the trust?""
Marcus didn't answer.
I ended the call.
Rebecca immediately wrote down the admission concerning the twenty-million-dollar arrangement.
"That was useful.""
Mom shook her head.
"Useful doesn't begin to describe it.""
Richard stood.
"I think we should retrieve the original documents from the safety deposit box as soon as possible.""
Rebecca agreed.
"We'll arrange access tomorrow morning.""
But before anyone could leave, the doorbell rang.
A man in a dark suit stood outside.
He introduced himself as a representative from the financial regulator.
He handed my mother a formal notice.
"Mrs. Carter, we're conducting an inquiry into the suspected unauthorized transfer of funds from the Carter Legacy Trust.""
Mom accepted the document.
"I expected this.""
The man nodded.
"We'll require access to the original transaction records and any correspondence concerning the trust.""
Rebecca stepped forward.
"Our legal team will cooperate fully.""
The man glanced at me.
"Are you Nia Carter?""
"Yes.""
He removed another document from his folder.
"We've also received a complaint concerning your involvement in the transfer.""
I frowned.
"What?""
He handed me a copy.
It claimed I had knowingly authorized Marcus Whitmore to access the family trust and had personally approved the transfer of twelve million dollars.
My name was on every page.
My supposed signature was at the bottom.
I looked at Rebecca.
"Can they charge me with something I didn't do?""
She examined the document.
"An allegation isn't proof. We'll respond with evidence.""
The regulator continued.
"There is one additional matter. We need to ask whether you were aware of a separate account opened in your name.""
I felt my stomach drop.
"What account?""
He read the details.
"An investment account registered to Nia Carter, opened approximately two months ago.""
"I didn't open any account.""
He looked at his notes.
"The account received a transfer of six hundred thousand dollars.""
Mom stood.
"From where?""
The man checked the document.
"From Whitmore Hospitality.""
My mind raced.
"I never received that money.""
"We understand. That's why we're investigating.""
Rebecca asked for the account details.
The regulator handed them over.
Then he said something that made my blood run cold.
"The account was used to purchase shares in a private company. Those shares were later pledged as collateral for a commercial loan.""
I stared at him.
"What company?""
He read the name.
"Northbridge Development Group.""
Mom covered her mouth.
Richard slowly sat down.
"That's the company Thomas created," he whispered.
The regulator nodded.
"And according to the documents we have, Miss Carter is listed as its principal investor.""
I looked at the supposed signature.
It was mine again.
Another lie.
Another document.
Another attempt to make me appear responsible for something I had never done.
The regulator gathered his folder.
"We'll contact you regarding the next stage of the inquiry.""
After he left, nobody spoke.
Then Rebecca turned toward me.
"They're trying to build a case against you.""
"Why?""
"Because if they can make you appear responsible for the transactions, they can shift attention away from the people who actually moved the money.""
My mother took my hand.
"That won't happen.""
I looked at her.
"How can you be sure?""
She glanced toward the study.
"Because tomorrow we're opening your father's safety deposit box.""
May you like
Then her expression hardened.
"And I think we'll finally discover what Thomas and Patricia have been trying to hide for twelve years.""
