My Husband Gave My Chair to His Mistress, Then Told Me I Had No Place in My Father’s Company

The name Richard Hawthorne stayed: The Secret My Father Took to His Grave

The name Richard Hawthorne stayed in my mind long after Daniel finished explaining the missing shareholder agreement.

My uncle had in my mind long after Daniel finished explaining the missing shareholder agreement.

My uncle had stood beside my father at every company anniversary. He had toasted Ethan's stood beside my father at every company anniversary. He had toasted Ethan's appointment as CEO. He had held my hand at my wedding and promised my father that he would always protect me.

Now his name sat on a list of transactions my father had apparently feared.

“Tell me everything,” I said.

Daniel pulled a appointment as CEO. He had held my hand at my wedding and promised my father that he would always protect me.

Now his name sat on a list of transactions my father had apparently feared.

“Tell me everything,” I said.

Daniel pulled a chair closer to my hospital bed.

“Your uncle served as chief financial officer during Hawthorne Industries' earliest expansion. He left that position twelve years ago, officially because he wanted to chair closer to my hospital bed.

“Your uncle served as chief financial officer during Hawthorne Industries' earliest expansion. He left that position twelve years ago, officially because he wanted to pursue private investments.””

“I remember. Dad said Richard wanted more freedom.””

“That was the public explanation. Privately, your father discovered irregularities in several investment accounts. The amounts were small enough to pursue private investments.””

“I remember. Dad said Richard wanted more freedom.””

“That was the public explanation. Privately, your father discovered irregularities in several investment accounts. The amounts were small enough to escape attention during routine reviews, but the pattern suggested deliberate activity.””

“Did Dad accuse him?””

“No. He asked for an explanation escape attention during routine reviews, but the pattern suggested deliberate activity.””

“Did Dad accuse him?””

“No. He asked for an explanation. Richard said the transactions were authorized and promised to provide supporting records. Then he resigned.””

“And Dad let him walk away?””

“Your father was reluctant. Richard said the transactions were authorized and promised to provide supporting records. Then he resigned.””

“And Dad let him walk away?””

“Your father was reluctant to expose his own brother without proof. He also worried that a public investigation would destabilize the company.””

I looked down at the documents resting on my blanket to expose his own brother without proof. He also worried that a public investigation would destabilize the company.””

I looked down at the documents resting on my blanket.

“So he protected Richard.””

“He gave him the benefit of the doubt.””

“And Richard used that opportunity to come back into the company through Ethan.””

Daniel didn't answer.

He.

“So he protected Richard.””

“He gave him the benefit of the doubt.””

“And Richard used that opportunity to come back into the company through Ethan.””

Daniel didn't answer.

He didn't need to.

A nurse entered to check the monitor and adjust the fluids in my IV. When she left, I reached for my phone.

“I want to speak to my didn't need to.

A nurse entered to check the monitor and adjust the fluids in my IV. When she left, I reached for my phone.

“I want to speak to my uncle.””

“Claire, I strongly advise against confronting him before we secure the records.””

“I won't tell him what we know. I just want to hear what uncle.””

“Claire, I strongly advise against confronting him before we secure the records.””

“I won't tell him what we know. I just want to hear what he says.””

Daniel considered it.

“Put the call on speaker. Don't make accusations, and don't agree to meet him alone.””

I found Richard's number.

he says.””

Daniel considered it.

“Put the call on speaker. Don't make accusations, and don't agree to meet him alone.””

I found Richard's number.

He answered immediately.

“Claire! I've been trying to reach you. I heard you were taken to the hospital. How are you feeling?””

His voice carried the familiar warmth IHe answered immediately.

“Claire! I've been trying to reach you. I heard you were taken to the hospital. How are you feeling?””

His voice carried the familiar warmth I remembered from childhood.

For one painful moment, I wanted to believe there had been some mistake.

“I'm all right, Uncle Richard. The doctors are keeping me under observation.””

“ remembered from childhood.

For one painful moment, I wanted to believe there had been some mistake.

“I'm all right, Uncle Richard. The doctors are keeping me under observation.””

“Thank goodness. You need to take care of yourself and that baby. Stress isn't good for either of you.””

I closed my eyes.

Where had I heard those words before?

From Ethan, whenThank goodness. You need to take care of yourself and that baby. Stress isn't good for either of you.””

I closed my eyes.

Where had I heard those words before?

From Ethan, when he wanted me to stop asking questions.

From Richard, when he wanted me to stay out of company affairs.

“Uncle Richard, can I ask you something?””

“Of course, sweetheart.””

“Do he wanted me to stop asking questions.

From Richard, when he wanted me to stay out of company affairs.

“Uncle Richard, can I ask you something?””

“Of course, sweetheart.””

“Do you remember Eleanor Price?””

The silence lasted less than a second.

But I heard it.

“Eleanor?”” he repeated.

“That's a name I haven't heard in years. Why are you asking about her you remember Eleanor Price?””

The silence lasted less than a second.

But I heard it.

“Eleanor?”” he repeated.

“That's a name I haven't heard in years. Why are you asking about her?””

“She called me this morning.””

His tone changed.

“What did she tell you?””

The question came too quickly.

I looked at Daniel.

“She said Dad asked her to preserve?””

“She called me this morning.””

His tone changed.

“What did she tell you?””

The question came too quickly.

I looked at Daniel.

“She said Dad asked her to preserve some old shareholder records.””

Richard exhaled.

“Your father had a habit of holding on to old paperwork. Eleanor was part of a difficult period in the company's history some old shareholder records.””

Richard exhaled.

“Your father had a habit of holding on to old paperwork. Eleanor was part of a difficult period in the company's history. I wouldn't put too much weight on anything she says.””

“Why not?””

“Because she and Robert disagreed about money. She left under unpleasant. I wouldn't put too much weight on anything she says.””

“Why not?””

“Because she and Robert disagreed about money. She left under unpleasant circumstances.””

“Did she transfer all her shares?””

Another pause.

“I believe so.””

“You believe so?””

“Claire, I wasn't involved in every detail of their arrangement.””

Daniel wrote something on a notepad and slid circumstances.””

“Did she transfer all her shares?””

Another pause.

“I believe so.””

“You believe so?””

“Claire, I wasn't involved in every detail of their arrangement.””

Daniel wrote something on a notepad and slid it toward me.

Ask about the original agreement.

I swallowed.

“Do you know where the original shareholder agreement is?””

Richard's voice became colder.

“Why are you asking me that?””

“Because Dad left instructions about it toward me.

Ask about the original agreement.

I swallowed.

“Do you know where the original shareholder agreement is?””

Richard's voice became colder.

“Why are you asking me that?””

“Because Dad left instructions about it.””

“Instructions?””

“Yes.””

I could almost hear him calculating his next words.

“Sweetheart, your father was very ill toward it.””

“Instructions?””

“Yes.””

I could almost hear him calculating his next words.

“Sweetheart, your father was very ill toward the end. He may have become confused about old business matters. You shouldn't let lawyers turn a family tragedy into a corporate scandal.””

“I'm not trying to create a scandal.””

“Good. Because that's exactly what Ethan says you're doing.””

My fingers the end. He may have become confused about old business matters. You shouldn't let lawyers turn a family tragedy into a corporate scandal.””

“I'm not trying to create a scandal.””

“Good. Because that's exactly what Ethan says you're doing.””

My fingers tightened around the phone.

“Ethan has been speaking to you?””

“Of course. He's under enormous pressure. The board has treated him terribly, and now you're making matters worse tightened around the phone.

“Ethan has been speaking to you?””

“Of course. He's under enormous pressure. The board has treated him terribly, and now you're making matters worse by encouraging an investigation.””

“I'm not encouraging anything. I'm asking questions about documents that may have been falsified.””

“That's a serious accusation.””

by encouraging an investigation.””

“I'm not encouraging anything. I'm asking questions about documents that may have been falsified.””

“That's a serious accusation.””

“Then the truth should be easy to establish.””

Richard went quiet.

Then he said, “I think we should talk in person.””

“Then the truth should be easy to establish.””

Richard went quiet.

Then he said, “I think we should talk in person.””

Daniel immediately shook his head.

I kept my voice calm.

“Where?””

“My office. Tomorrow morning. Just the two of us. We can clear up these misunderstandings without involving more people.””

“I'll have my attorney contact you.””

His response was immediate.

“Claire, don'tDaniel immediately shook his head.

I kept my voice calm.

“Where?””

“My office. Tomorrow morning. Just the two of us. We can clear up these misunderstandings without involving more people.””

“I'll have my attorney contact you.””

His response was immediate.

“Claire, don't be foolish.””

The warmth had vanished.

“Your father trusted me to protect this family. I won't sit back while you destroy be foolish.””

The warmth had vanished.

“Your father trusted me to protect this family. I won't sit back while you destroy his legacy because you're upset with your husband.””

I stared at the ceiling.

“My father wrote down your name.””

Silence.

“He instructed Daniel not to let you access the original trust records.””

I heard a sharp breath.

Then his legacy because you're upset with your husband.””

I stared at the ceiling.

“My father wrote down your name.””

Silence.

“He instructed Daniel not to let you access the original trust records.””

I heard a sharp breath.

Then Richard said something that made the blood drain from my face.

“Your father had no right to put you in charge of those shares.””

The line went dead.

I Richard said something that made the blood drain from my face.

“Your father had no right to put you in charge of those shares.””

The line went dead.

I lowered the phone.

Daniel looked at me.

“Did you hear that?”” I whispered.

“Yes.””

“He knew about the shares.””

“He knew more than he was willing to admit.””

I placed lowered the phone.

Daniel looked at me.

“Did you hear that?”” I whispered.

“Yes.””

“He knew about the shares.””

“He knew more than he was willing to admit.””

I placed both hands over my stomach. The baby moved gently beneath my palms, reminding me that whatever happened next, I had someone else to protect.

“What do we do now?””

both hands over my stomach. The baby moved gently beneath my palms, reminding me that whatever happened next, I had someone else to protect.

“What do we do now?””

Daniel closed his briefcase.

“We secure Eleanor's records, notify the board's independent investigators, and make sure your uncle cannot access the trust documents.””

“And Ethan?””

“His companyDaniel closed his briefcase.

“We secure Eleanor's records, notify the board's independent investigators, and make sure your uncle cannot access the trust documents.””

“And Ethan?””

“His company access has already been restricted. We'll have to determine whether he and Richard coordinated their actions.””

I thought of the restructuring proposal.

The suspicious payments.

My father's forged signature.

The way Richard had immediately tried to persuade me not to investigate.

“How much money are access has already been restricted. We'll have to determine whether he and Richard coordinated their actions.””

I thought of the restructuring proposal.

The suspicious payments.

My father's forged signature.

The way Richard had immediately tried to persuade me not to investigate.

“How much money are we talking about?””

Daniel hesitated.

“The transactions identified so far total approximately eighteen million dollars.””

My mouth went dry.

“Eighteen million?””

“That figure includes payments to related entities and transfers that have not yet been fully traced. We don't know how much was misappropr we talking about?””

Daniel hesitated.

“The transactions identified so far total approximately eighteen million dollars.””

My mouth went dry.

“Eighteen million?””

“That figure includes payments to related entities and transfers that have not yet been fully traced. We don't know how much was misappropriated, if any. That's what the investigation must establish.””

I turned toward the window.

The city continued moving below us. Cars crossed intersections. Pedestrians hurried through the cold.

Somewhere, people were buying groceries and arguing about parking spaces and planning ordinaryiated, if any. That's what the investigation must establish.””

I turned toward the window.

The city continued moving below us. Cars crossed intersections. Pedestrians hurried through the cold. Somewhere, people were buying groceries and arguing about parking spaces and planning ordinary afternoons.

Meanwhile, my family was unraveling.

My phone buzzed again.

This time, it was a message from an unknown number.

If you want the original agreement, come to the old Hawthorne warehouse at six tonight. Come alone.

A second message appeared.

*And don't tell Daniel afternoons.

Meanwhile, my family was unraveling.

My phone buzzed again.

This time, it was a message from an unknown number.

If you want the original agreement, come to the old Hawthorne warehouse at six tonight. Come alone.

A second message appeared.

And don't tell Daniel.

I showed him the screen.

He read it twice.

“No,” he said immediately.

“Someone knows where the documents are.””

“Or someone wants us to believe they do.””

“What if it's Eleanor?””

“Then she'll agree to meet us somewhere safe.””

I typed a reply.*

I showed him the screen.

He read it twice.

“No,” he said immediately.

“Someone knows where the documents are.””

“Or someone wants us to believe they do.””

“What if it's Eleanor?””

“Then she'll agree to meet us somewhere safe.””

I typed a reply.

Tell me who you are.

The response came within seconds.

Ask Richard why your father removed his name from the original ownership register.

Daniel went perfectly still.

I looked up.

“What does that mean?””

He took the phone from my hand and examined the number.

Tell me who you are.

The response came within seconds.

Ask Richard why your father removed his name from the original ownership register.

Daniel went perfectly still.

I looked up.

“What does that mean?””

He took the phone from my hand and examined the number.

“I'm going to have our security team preserve this message and identify what they can.””

“But why would Dad remove Richard's name?””

Daniel's expression was troubled.

“Because the original register may show that Richard once held a.

“I'm going to have our security team preserve this message and identify what they can.””

“But why would Dad remove Richard's name?””

Daniel's expression was troubled.

“Because the original register may show that Richard once held a financial interest he was never legally entitled to transfer.””

I stared at him.

“And if he transferred it anyway?””

“Then every transaction built on that transfer could be challenged.””

A knock sounded at the door financial interest he was never legally entitled to transfer.””

I stared at him.

“And if he transferred it anyway?””

“Then every transaction built on that transfer could be challenged.””

A knock sounded at the door.

We both turned.

A woman in a dark green coat stood in the doorway, holding a leather satchel against her chest. Her silver hair was pulled into a neat bun, and her face looked older than it had in the photograph on Daniel's phone.

We both turned.

Eleanor Price.

She glanced at the monitor, then at my swollen stomach.

“Claire,” she said softly.

“I'm sorry we had to meet like this.””

Daniel rose.

“Mrs. Price, we need to get you somewhere secure.””

“Not yet.”” She placed the satleanor Price.

She glanced at the monitor, then at my swollen stomach.

“Claire,” she said softly.

“I'm sorry we had to meet like this.””

Daniel rose.

“Mrs. Price, we need to get you somewhere secure.””

“Not yet.”” She placed the satchel on my bedside table.

“There's something she needs to see first.””

She removed a thick, yellowed document wrapped in brown paper.

Then she looked directly at me.

“Your father didn't simplychel on my bedside table.

“There's something she needs to see first.””

She removed a thick, yellowed document wrapped in brown paper.

Then she looked directly at me.

“Your father didn't simply remove Richard from the ownership register. He discovered that someone had forged Richard's signature to obtain control of the original shares.””

My heart began to pound.

“Who forged it?””

Eleanor opened remove Richard from the ownership register. He discovered that someone had forged Richard's signature to obtain control of the original shares.””

My heart began to pound.

“Who forged it?””

Eleanor opened the paper.

Inside was an original shareholder agreement, bearing my father's signature, Eleanor's signature, and a third signature that looked disturbingly familiar.

It belonged to Ethan.

And beside it was a handwritten note in my father's ink.

*If Ethan ever claims the the paper.

Inside was an original shareholder agreement, bearing my father's signature, Eleanor's signature, and a third signature that looked disturbingly familiar.

It belonged to Ethan.

And beside it was a handwritten note in my father's ink.

If Ethan ever claims the company belongs to him, ask him what he promised Richard in exchange for the shares.

I stared at the page.

Eleanor touched my wrist.

“Your husband didn't company belongs to him, ask him what he promised Richard in exchange for the shares.*

I stared at the page.

Eleanor touched my wrist.

“Your husband didn't begin this scheme when he became CEO, Claire.””

She lowered her voice.

“He began it before he married you.””

begin this scheme when he became CEO, Claire.””