Chapter 5: The Woman Who Sold Her Own Daughter
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
My sister had stolen my wedding dress, accessed my company's confidential records, and forged documents transferring ownership of my business.
Now she had taken the original trust papers that could determine who controlled millions of dollars in family assets.
And my mother had known where the documents were.
She had had stolen my wedding dress, accessed my company's confidential records, and forged documents transferring ownership of my business.
Now she had taken the original trust papers that could determine who controlled millions of dollars in family assets.
And my mother had known where the documents were.
She had known Brittany had access to them.
She had apparently known enough to warn my father not to return home.
Yet she hadn't called me.
"Mom," I said slowly, "when did Brittany take the documents?""
My known Brittany had access to them.
She had apparently known enough to warn my father not to return home.
Yet she hadn't called me.
"Mom," I said slowly, "when did Brittany take the documents?""
My mother was crying.
"Last night.""
"What time?""
"I don't know exactly.""
"Did you see her?""
Another pause.
"Yes.""
I closed my eyes.
"Then tell me what happened.""
My mother drew mother was crying.
"Last night.""
"What time?""
"I don't know exactly.""
"Did you see her?""
Another pause.
"Yes.""
I closed my eyes.
"Then tell me what happened.""
My mother drew a shaky breath.
"She said she needed to borrow some papers. She told me they were related to your business, and that you had asked her to collect them.""
"Did you believe her?""
"I wanted to a shaky breath.
"She said she needed to borrow some papers. She told me they were related to your business, and that you had asked her to collect them.""
"Did you believe her?""
"I wanted to.""
That answer hurt more than I expected.
Not because it was surprising.
Because it was familiar.
My mother had always wanted to believe Brittany's explanations, even when the evidence stood directly in front of.""
That answer hurt more than I expected.
Not because it was surprising.
Because it was familiar.
My mother had always wanted to believe Brittany's explanations, even when the evidence stood directly in front of her.
"Did you unlock the cabinet for her?""
She began crying harder.
"Yes.""
My father turned away.
I stared at the phone.
"You gave her the key?""
"I didn't know what she was planning.""
her.
"Did you unlock the cabinet for her?""
She began crying harder.
"Yes.""
My father turned away.
I stared at the phone.
"You gave her the key?""
"I didn't know what she was planning.""
"You knew she was trying to interfere with my wedding.""
"I thought she was upset. I thought she wanted to talk to you.""
"She wore my wedding dress in front of three hundred people, Mom. She announced that I"You knew she was trying to interfere with my wedding.""
"I thought she was upset. I thought she wanted to talk to you.""
"She wore my wedding dress in front of three hundred people, Mom. She announced that I was the problem. And you still thought she needed protecting?""
My mother made a wounded sound.
"Please don't speak to me like that.""
"Then stop giving me reasons to.""
Nathan squeezed was the problem. And you still thought she needed protecting?""
My mother made a wounded sound.
"Please don't speak to me like that.""
"Then stop giving me reasons to.""
Nathan squeezed my hand.
He didn't interrupt.
He knew this wasn't a conversation he could repair for me.
"Where is Brittany now?"" I asked.
"I don't know.""
"Where is Victoria?""
"I don't know.""
"Did they leave together?""
My mother my hand.
He didn't interrupt.
He knew this wasn't a conversation he could repair for me.
"Where is Brittany now?"" I asked.
"I don't know.""
"Where is Victoria?""
"I don't know.""
"Did they leave together?""
My mother went silent.
Then she whispered, "Yes.""
My father swore under his breath.
I felt something inside me settle.
Not anger.
Not shock.
A decision.
"Mom, listen carefully. Do not touch anything else in that house. Do not contact went silent.
Then she whispered, "Yes.""
My father swore under his breath.
I felt something inside me settle.
Not anger.
Not shock.
A decision.
"Mom, listen carefully. Do not touch anything else in that house. Do not contact Brittany.
Do not contact Victoria. And do not sign another document without my attorney present.""
"What are you going to do?""
"I'm going to protect what Grandma left me.""
I ended the call.
Nathan looked at me.
"Are Brittany. Do not contact Victoria. And do not sign another document without my attorney present.""
"What are you going to do?""
"I'm going to protect what Grandma left me.""
I ended the call.
Nathan looked at me.
"Are you still planning to get married today?""
I glanced toward the ballroom.
The orchestra had stopped playing. Guests were whispering in clusters, and several had begun checking their phones.
Brittany's performance had you still planning to get married today?""
I glanced toward the ballroom.
The orchestra had stopped playing. Guests were whispering in clusters, and several had begun checking their phones.
Brittany's performance had become the only story anyone cared about.
I should have felt humiliated.
Instead, I felt strangely clearheaded.
"Yes," I said.
Nathan searched my face.
"Are you sure?""
"I've never been more sure of anything.""
become the only story anyone cared about.
I should have felt humiliated.
Instead, I felt strangely clearheaded.
"Yes," I said.
Nathan searched my face.
"Are you sure?""
"I've never been more sure of anything.""
He smiled faintly.
"Then let's get married.""
Before we could leave the library, Olivia Grant arrived.
My attorney was fifty-two, sharp-eyed, and incapable of being intimidated by wealth. She wore a charcoal suit and carried a leather briefcase that looked as if it had survived several wars.
He smiled faintly.
"Then let's get married.""
Before we could leave the library, Olivia Grant arrived.
My attorney was fifty-two, sharp-eyed, and incapable of being intimidated by wealth. She wore a charcoal suit and carried a leather briefcase that looked as if it had survived several wars.
She took one look at my gown and raised an eyebrow.
"I see the dress situation has become complicated.""
"You have no idea.""
"Give me the short version.""
I explained everythingShe took one look at my gown and raised an eyebrow.
"I see the dress situation has become complicated.""
"You have no idea.""
"Give me the short version.""
I explained everything.
The stolen gown.
The note.
The fraudulent company transfer.
The trust documents.
My father's admission.
When I finished, Olivia set her briefcase on the desk.
"First, nobody signs anything. Second.
The stolen gown.
The note.
The fraudulent company transfer.
The trust documents.
My father's admission.
When I finished, Olivia set her briefcase on the desk.
"First, nobody signs anything. Second, nobody leaves with original documents. Third, I want every person involved to understand that we are preserving evidence, not negotiating family peace.""
Nathan nodded.
"Agreed.""
Olivia opened her, nobody leaves with original documents. Third, I want every person involved to understand that we are preserving evidence, not negotiating family peace.""
Nathan nodded.
"Agreed.""
Olivia opened her briefcase.
"I've already contacted the state filing office regarding the attempted transfer of Hayes Atelier. The filing is being flagged for briefcase.
"I've already contacted the state filing office regarding the attempted transfer of Hayes Atelier. The filing is being flagged for suspected fraud. I've also contacted the bank holding your business accounts and requested additional verification for any ownership-related changes.""
She turned toward me.
"Madison, the forged contract is serious, but the trust issue suspected fraud. I've also contacted the bank holding your business accounts and requested additional verification for any ownership-related changes.""
She turned toward me.
"Madison, the forged contract is serious, but the trust issue may be more urgent. If the original documents are missing, we need to determine whether any transfer has already been executed.""
"Can they transfer the shares without my approval?""
"That depends on the trust's terms. We need the original instrument and the amendments.""
"My mother says may be more urgent. If the original documents are missing, we need to determine whether any transfer has already been executed.""
"Can they transfer the shares without my approval?""
"That depends on the trust's terms. We need the original instrument and the amendments.""
"My mother says Brittany took them.""
Olivia's expression hardened.
"Then we need to locate Brittany immediately.""
A knock sounded at the door.
Daniel entered, holding his phone.
"I think I know where she went.""
He showed us a photograph posted on social media seven minutes earlier.
Brittany stood outside the Brittany took them.""
Olivia's expression hardened.
"Then we need to locate Brittany immediately.""
A knock sounded at the door.
Daniel entered, holding his phone.
"I think I know where she went.""
He showed us a photograph posted on social media seven minutes earlier.
Brittany stood outside the west entrance of Bellamere Estate, still wearing my ivory gown.
Beside her was Victoria.
And behind them stood Richard Vale.
The attorney who had prepared the suspicious trust memorandum.
The caption read:
*Some west entrance of Bellamere Estate, still wearing my ivory gown.
Beside her was Victoria.
And behind them stood Richard Vale.
The attorney who had prepared the suspicious trust memorandum.
The caption read:
Some women are born to lead. Others spend their entire lives pretending they deserve the spotlight. Today, the truth finally comes out.
Beneath the caption was a second image.
A women are born to lead. Others spend their entire lives pretending they deserve the spotlight. Today, the truth finally comes out.*
Beneath the caption was a second image.
A photograph of my grandmother, taken shortly before her death.
Someone had written across it:
*THE REAL HEIRESS RETURNS.*
Olivia stared at photograph of my grandmother, taken shortly before her death.
Someone had written across it:
*THE REAL HEIRESS RETURNS.*
Olivia stared at the screen.
"Who is the person beside Richard?""
I looked closer.
A young woman stood partially behind him, her face obscured by the angle of the photograph.
I recognized her coat.
It belonged to my mother.
But my mother was supposed to be at Bell the screen.
"Who is the person beside Richard?""
I looked closer.
A young woman stood partially behind him, her face obscured by the angle of the photograph.
I recognized her coat.
It belonged to my mother.
But my mother was supposed to be at Bellamere.
I turned toward Daniel.
"When was this taken?""
"Seven minutes ago.""
"Where?""
"The west entrance. The security camera shows them leaving in a black SUV.""
Olivia closed her briefcase.
"We're going to need the estate's security footage.""
Nathan reached for his phone.
"I'll have the estate manager preserve everythingamere.
I turned toward Daniel.
"When was this taken?""
"Seven minutes ago.""
"Where?""
"The west entrance. The security camera shows them leaving in a black SUV.""
Olivia closed her briefcase.
"We're going to need the estate's security footage.""
Nathan reached for his phone.
"I'll have the estate manager preserve everything.""
I looked at the photograph again.
Brittany was smiling.
Victoria looked triumphant.
Richard Vale looked as if he had just closed a lucrative deal.
And my mother's coat was unmistakable.
"Madison," Olivia said quietly.""
I looked at the photograph again.
Brittany was smiling.
Victoria looked triumphant.
Richard Vale looked as if he had just closed a lucrative deal.
And my mother's coat was unmistakable.
"Madison," Olivia said quietly, "there's something else you need to consider.""
"What?""
"If your sister has the original trust documents, she may, "there's something else you need to consider.""
"What?""
"If your sister has the original trust documents, she may be trying to establish that she's be trying to establish that she's the rightful beneficiary.""
I stared at her.
"She isn't.""
"Perhaps not. But the rightful beneficiary.""
I stared at her.
"She isn't.""
"Perhaps not. But if someone has forged amendments, the question becomes whether those amendments can be used to create enough confusion to delay your claim.""
if someone has forged amendments, the question becomes whether those amendments can be used to create enough confusion to delay your claim.""
"Delay it until what?""
Olivia met my eyes.
"Until the assets are transferred.""
Nathan sw"Delay it until what?""
Olivia met my eyes.
"Until the assets are transferred.""
Nathan swore.
I looked toward the door.
The ceremony was waiting.
My sister was waiting.
And somewhere outsideore.
I looked toward the door.
The ceremony was waiting.
My sister was waiting.
And somewhere outside Bellamere, someone was trying to steal the future my grandmother had intended for me.
I straightened the pearl flowers on my bodice.
"Then we need to move quickly.""
Olivia nodded.
"I'll go to the security office. Bellamere, someone was trying to steal the future my grandmother had intended for me.
I straightened the pearl flowers on my bodice.
"Then we need to move quickly.""
Olivia nodded.
"I'll go to the security office. Nathan, stay with Madison. Don't let anyone remove anything from the estate.""
Nathan looked at her.
"What about Brittany?""
"Do not confront her unless you Nathan, stay with Madison. Don't let anyone remove anything from the estate.""
Nathan looked at her.
"What about Brittany?""
"Do not confront her unless you have to. We need evidence, not another scene.""
Olivia left.
I turned toward Nathan.
He brushed a stray crystal petal from my shoulder.
"You know," he said softly, "this is not how I imagined our wedding day.""
I managed a small smile.
"Neither did I.""
"Do you have to. We need evidence, not another scene.""
Olivia left.
I turned toward Nathan.
He brushed a stray crystal petal from my shoulder.
"You know," he said softly, "this is not how I imagined our wedding day.""
I managed a small smile.
"Neither did I.""
"Do you want to leave?""
I looked at the ballroom doors.
Beyond them were three hundred guests, a stolen gown, two compromised families, and a legal crisis that might take months to resolve.
But there was also Nathan.
The man who had never asked me to surrender my independence to prove my love.
The man who had stood beside me when my sister tried to humiliate me.
The man who had refused to let his mother dictate his future.
"No," I said.
"I want to walk down that aisle.""
Nathan kissed my forehead.
"Then I'll be waiting.""
He left through the side entrance.
I stood alone for a moment, listening to the distant sound of rain.
Then my phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered.
A woman's voice spoke softly.
"Madison Hayes?""
"Yes.""
"My name is Caroline Brooks. I used to work for Richard Vale.""
My pulse quickened.
"What do you want?""
"I saw the photograph Brittany posted. I know what's happening.""
"How?""
"Because I helped prepare the original trust documents.""
I gripped the phone.
"Then you know want to leave?""
I looked at the ballroom doors.
Beyond them were three hundred guests, a stolen gown, two compromised families, and a legal crisis that might take months to resolve.
But there was also Nathan.
The man who had never asked me to surrender my independence to prove my love.
The man who had stood beside me when my sister tried to humiliate me.
The man who had refused to let his mother dictate his future.
"No," I said.
"I want to walk down that aisle.""
Nathan kissed my forehead.
"Then I'll be waiting.""
He left through the side entrance.
I stood alone for a moment, listening to the distant sound of rain.
Then my phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered.
A woman's voice spoke softly.
"Madison Hayes?""
"Yes.""
"My name is Caroline Brooks. I used to work for Richard Vale.""
My pulse quickened.
"What do you want?""
"I saw the photograph Brittany posted. I know what's happening.""
"How?""
"Because I helped prepare the original trust documents.""
I gripped the phone.
"Then you know who the rightful beneficiary is.""
"Yes.""
"Who?""
There was a pause.
Then Caroline said something that made the entire room seem to tilt.
"Your grandmother didn't leave the controlling shares to you.""
I stared at the mirror.
"What?""
"She left them to your mother.""
My throat tightened.
"That's impossible. My father said—"
"Your father doesn't know everything.""
I swallowed.
"Then why would Brittany steal the documents?""
"Because your mother signed away her rights six months ago.""
The silence that followed was absolute.
I could hear the rain.
My own breathing.
The distant movement of staff preparing for the ceremony.
"Signed them away to whom?"" I asked.
Caroline hesitated.
Then she whispered, "To the person who has been paying Victoria Ashford to destroy your marriage.""
I gripped the phone so tightly my fingers hurt.
"Who is it?""
Caroline began to answer.
Then I heard a sharp crash on her end of the line.
A man's voice who the rightful beneficiary is.""
"Yes.""
"Who?""
There was a pause.
Then Caroline said something that made the entire room seem to tilt.
"Your grandmother didn't leave the controlling shares to you.""
I stared at the mirror.
"What?""
"She left them to your mother.""
My throat tightened.
"That's impossible. My father said—"
"Your father doesn't know everything.""
I swallowed.
"Then why would Brittany steal the documents?""
"Because your mother signed away her rights six months ago.""
The silence that followed was absolute.
I could hear the rain.
My own breathing.
The distant movement of staff preparing for the ceremony.
"Signed them away to whom?"" I asked.
Caroline hesitated.
Then she whispered, "To the person who has been paying Victoria Ashford to destroy your marriage.""
I gripped the phone so tightly my fingers hurt.
"Who is it?""
Caroline began to answer.
Then I heard a sharp crash on her end of the line.
A man's voice shouted something.
The phone scraped against a hard surface.
And just before the call disconnected, Caroline screamed my name.
"Madison, don't marry shouted something.
The phone scraped against a hard surface.
May you like
And just before the call disconnected, Caroline screamed my name.
"Madison, don't marry Nathan until you find out who—" Nathan until you find out who—"
