Chapter 4: The Signature He Could Not Deny
Daniel gripped the phone.
“Emptied by whom?”
“I can’t discuss authorization over an unsecured line,” Claire said.
“Bring Maya and identification to the bank immediately.”
“Freeze the receiving account.”
“We’ve requested a hold, but the transfer was supported by a notarized authorization carrying your signature.”
Vanessa held up the folded document.
“The signature he now claims he never understood.”
Maya stepped toward her father.
“Did you give her control of my trust?”
“No.
I signed insurance forms.”
“You signed without reading them?”
Daniel’s silence answered before his voice did.
Maya pulled her arm away from him.
“Mom warned you not to ignore her again.
This wasn’t the first time, was it?”
“Maya, let me explain.”
“Explain at the bank.”
Chloe blocked the doorway.
“The police will blame me for the dress.”
“You burned it,” Maya said.
“My mother told me to!”
Vanessa turned on her.
“You made that choice yourself.”
Chloe’s face crumpled.
“You said Maya was taking everything from us.”
“I said no such thing.”
“You said the trust should have been ours because you helped Dad build his company.”
Daniel stared at Vanessa.
“Maya’s trust came from Elena’s family.
You never put a dollar into it.”
Vanessa slipped the document into her purse.
“And yet you put me in charge of your finances.”
Daniel held out his hand.
“Give me that paper.”
“No.”
Maya opened the sliding door.
“Keep it.
The bank will have a copy.”
Vanessa followed them to the driveway.
“You are not taking my car.”
Daniel pressed the metallic fob.
The silver sedan flashed its lights.
“It was Elena’s car,” he said.
“I had it restored for Maya.”
Chloe’s eyes filled.
“You let me believe it was my graduation gift.”
“Your mother let you believe that.”
“You could have corrected me!”
“You’re right,” Daniel said.
“I should have.”
Vanessa touched Chloe’s shoulder.
“Get in my car.”
Chloe jerked away.
“Were you using me?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“You made me burn that dress.
You told me Dad would finally see Maya was spoiled.”
Vanessa leaned close.
“One more word, and you can pay your own college fees.”
Chloe went still.
Maya’s hand tightened around the car key.
“There it is.
That’s how you make people obey you.”
“You know nothing about this family,” Vanessa said.
“I know my mother left me a warning.”
At the bank, Claire led them into a glass-walled office.
A gray-haired notary named Mr.
Ellis was already waiting, turning a pen between shaking fingers.
Claire placed two documents on the table.
“This authorization transferred control of the trust to Daniel.
This second document allowed Daniel’s appointed financial agent to move the funds.”
Daniel studied the first signature.
“That is not mine.”
Mr.
Ellis cleared his throat.
“I witnessed it.”
Daniel looked up.
“You watched me sign this?”
“I verified the signature.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
Vanessa sat beside the notary.
“Be careful, Mr.
Ellis.
False accusations can end careers.”
His pen stopped moving.
Maya noticed and leaned forward.
“She’s frightening you.”
“No,” Mr.
Ellis whispered.
Vanessa slid a card toward Claire.
“My attorney will handle further questions.”
Claire did not touch it.
“The transfer went to an investment company called Rosebridge Holdings.”
Daniel frowned.
“I’ve never heard of it.”
“I have,” Maya said.
She removed the photograph and pointed to a faint sign behind her mother’s car.
The words ROSEBRIDGE ACCOUNTING appeared in the window.
Vanessa reached for the photograph, but Claire covered it with her hand.
“Rosebridge Accounting closed twelve years ago,” Claire said.
“Its registered owner was Vanessa Cole.”
Chloe stared at her mother.
“Cole was your name before you married Dad.”
Vanessa stood.
“This meeting is over.”
Mr.
Ellis rose with her, then stopped.
“Vanessa, you promised no one would lose anything.”
She turned so quickly her chair struck the wall.
Daniel looked at the notary.
“What did she promise you?”
Mr.
Ellis opened his mouth, but two men in suits entered the office.
One placed a leather folder in front of Vanessa.
Her smile returned.
“My attorney,” she said.
May you like
“And the bank’s regional director.
Now we’ll find out whose story matters.”
