Chapter 6: The Account in Madison’s Name
Madison stared at her father.
“You put the money under my name?”
“I secured your future.”
“You used me.”
Grant straightened his shirt.
“Everything I did was for this family.”
Claire moved beside Madison.
“A family doesn’t need forged signatures.”
Grant looked at Claire’s hand near Madison’s shoulder.
“Don’t pretend you care about her now.”
Madison pulled away from both of them.
“Stop speaking for me!”
The following morning, Rebecca brought Claire, Madison, Susan, and Jeff to the lender’s downtown office.
Grant was already seated beside Martin Vale.
Martin closed his briefcase.
“This meeting is unnecessary.”
Rebecca placed Ava’s photograph on the table.
“So is borrowing against a house your client did not own.”
Grant looked at Madison.
“Sit beside me.”
She remained next to Claire.
A bank investigator turned his laptop around.
“Madison, this account was opened from your phone.”
“I didn’t open it.”
“The security code was sent to your number.”
Grant leaned back.
“Teenagers forget things.”
Madison’s fingers curled around the back of her chair.
“You asked for my phone because yours needed charging.”
“That proves nothing.”
“You held it to my face while I was asleep.”
Grant’s confidence flickered.
Madison looked at the investigator.
“My phone unlocks with facial recognition.
I woke up and asked what he was doing.”
“What did he say?”
“He said he was turning off an alarm.”
Grant struck the table with his palm.
“She is confused.”
Claire stood.
“Do not use that word again.”
Martin raised both hands.
“Let’s discuss a private settlement.
The money can be returned, Claire keeps the house, and everyone avoids embarrassment.”
Rebecca slid a document toward him.
“Your name appears on the false notary acknowledgment.”
Martin did not touch it.
Susan placed her phone beside the document.
“I also have your call from last night.”
“You recorded me without permission.”
“You were on speaker in a room full of witnesses.”
Grant reached for the phone, but the investigator pulled it away.
“Sit down, Mr.
Parker.”
Grant stayed on his feet.
“Delete that recording, Susan, and I’ll pay you.”
“How much is my conscience worth?”
“Twenty thousand.”
Susan smiled without warmth.
“You couldn’t afford me when all I had was a phone.
Now I have a copy in three places.”
The office door opened.
Grant’s chief financial officer entered with two security officers.
Grant looked at Jeff.
“You did this.”
Jeff met his stare.
“You told me loyalty meant protecting the company.
For once, I listened.”
The chief financial officer placed an employment notice on the table.
“Grant, your employment ends today.
Your company accounts, building access, and retirement advances are frozen pending review.”
Grant tore the notice in half.
“You’ll regret humiliating me.”
“No,” the man replied.
“I regret trusting you.”
Martin stood and moved away from Grant.
“I need separate counsel.”
Grant stared at him.
“You prepared everything.”
“Based on information you provided.”
“You knew Elaine Brooks was unavailable.”
Martin picked up his briefcase.
“Do not contact me again.”
Two investigators entered behind him.
One asked Grant to step into the hall.
Grant pointed at Claire.
“Tell them this was a marital misunderstanding.”
Claire shook her head.
“You planned to take my house and leave me with your debt.”
“I gave you ten years.”
“You took ten years.”
As the investigators escorted Grant through the doorway, he turned toward Madison.
“If you choose her now, don’t call me when she abandons you.”
The door closed.
Madison’s shoulders began to shake.
She looked at Claire through sudden tears.
“Please tell me he’s wrong.”
May you like
Claire’s eyes filled too.
“I don’t know if I can be your family after what you did.”
