Chapter 12 - SIX COMPANIESThe investigators spent the entire night taking statements.
Six companies.
Six identities.
Six layers of debt.
All tied to me.
I stared at the paperwork.
Blackridge Holdings.
Northstar Capital.
Carter Asset Recovery.
Blue Summit Ventures.
Horizon Ridge Investments.
And one final company with a name that made me feel sick.
Grandview Family Management.
Grandma recognized it.
“That one was mine.”
“What?”
“It controlled my investments.”
“And you didn't know?”
“I thought it was legitimate.”
Evelyn looked at the records.
“It was created using a forged power of attorney.”
Grandma covered her mouth.
I looked at Dad.
“How many people knew?”
He didn't answer.
“Dad.”
“All of us.”
The words hurt more than the documents.
Mom.
Matt.
Lauren.
Grandma.
Even people I loved had been caught in this.
But Evelyn stopped me.
“Not everyone.”
She pointed to one signature.
“This one wasn't forged.”
“Whose?”
“Lauren's.”
Lauren started crying.
“I had no choice.”
“You signed the transfer.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Victor said Matt would be arrested.”
“For what?”
“He had debts from gambling.”
Matt lowered his head.
“I was stupid.”
I looked at my brother.
“You gambled too?”
“Yes.”
“Where did you think the money would come from?”
“I thought Dad had it.”
No one spoke.
The investigators gathered the documents.
Then one of them approached me.
“We found evidence of attempted transfer from the family trust.”
“How much?”
“$4 million.”
My stomach dropped.
“When?”
“Forty-eight hours from now.”
Everything froze.
“Can they still stop it?”
“We're trying.”
“What happens if they fail?”
“You may have to spend years in court.”
I looked at Evelyn.
She shook her head.
“We need one thing.”
“What?”
“Proof that your father knowingly forged your identity.”
I thought of the folder.
The handwritten ledger.
The fake signatures.
The warehouse.
“We have it.”
“Not enough.”
“Then what?”
She looked at Dad.
“He knows.”
I stared at my father.
“Will you testify?”
Dad looked exhausted.
“I will.”
Victor, who had been silent until then, suddenly laughed.
“You think testimony will save him?”
One investigator turned.
“What do you mean?”
Victor smiled.
“There is a final document.”
“What document?”
Victor looked at me.
“The inheritance waiver.”
I frowned.
“What waiver?”
“The one you supposedly signed last year.”
I laughed.
“I never signed anything.”
Victor's smile widened.
“Exactly.”
He had planned this.
A fake document claiming I waived my inheritance.
If accepted, the trust would legally bypass me.
Who would receive it?
Victor didn't answer.
Evelyn already knew.
“The family.”
Victor smiled.
“Your family.”
I turned toward Dad.
He looked away.
“You were going to steal my inheritance.”
Dad whispered:
“Yes.”
I stared at him.
Then the investigator placed a document on the table.
“Your father has just agreed to cooperate.”
“What does that mean?”
“He's prepared to testify against Victor.”
Victor's smile disappeared.
Dad looked at me.
“I’m sorry.”
It was the first time I had heard sincerity in his voice.
But it came too late.
Because the investigator handed me another document.
“We found the person who filed the inheritance waiver.”
I looked down.
May you like
The name was printed clearly.
Lauren Carter.
