Chapter 7: The Company They Thought They Had Stolen
I read the document three times.
Vanessa Carter.
Thirty-five percent ownership.
I looked at Mrs. Bennett.
“How is that possible?””
She pulled out a chair.
“Sit down, Nia. There's a lot you need to understand.””
I sat at the cutting table.
She placed the documents in front of me.
“Your mother founded Elena Carter Designs when she was twenty-six. She started with a small sewing machine in her apartment and eventually built a successful custom clothing business.””
I smiled faintly.
“I know. She used to tell me stories.””
“She was talented, but she was also careful. She knew that creative people sometimes make poor business decisions when they trust the wrong people.””
Mrs. Bennett opened a folder.
“Before she died, Elena reorganized the company. She transferred a controlling interest into a trust for you.””
I looked at the document.
“Seventy percent?””
“Correct. The remaining thirty percent was divided between your mother and two original business partners.””
I frowned.
“But Vanessa has thirty-five percent here.””
Mrs. Bennett nodded.
“That's the problem.””
She explained that Vanessa had originally been hired as an administrative assistant by one of the company's former contractors.
She was responsible for invoices, vendor payments, and payroll records.
After my mother became ill, Vanessa began spending more time around Dad.
Eventually, she became involved in the family.
But according to Mrs. Bennett, Vanessa had never been a shareholder.
“Then how did she get those shares?””
Mrs. Bennett removed another document.
“An unauthorized amendment was filed several years ago. It claimed that your mother had transferred part of her ownership to Vanessa.””
I stared.
“Could she do that?””
“Not without the proper authorization.””
Mrs. Bennett placed a signature sample beside the document.
“Your mother never signed this.””
I looked at the two signatures.
They were similar.
But the one on the amendment was slightly different.
The letter E was too narrow.
The final stroke of the C was too long.
I remembered watching my mother sign birthday cards.
I knew her handwriting.
“That isn't her signature.””
Mrs. Bennett nodded.
“We believe the amendment was fraudulent.””
I felt sick.
“Why didn't you stop it?””
“We tried. But after Elena died, the company records became complicated. Your father was listed as the custodian of your interests, and Vanessa controlled much of the financial correspondence.””
I looked at the paperwork.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“I tried contacting your father several times. He told me you were too young to be involved in business matters.””
I looked down.
“That's what he always said.””
Mrs. Bennett reached across the table.
“I am sorry, Nia.””
I shook my head.
“It's not your fault.””
She opened the envelope with my name on it.
Inside was a letter written in my mother's handwriting.
My hands trembled as I unfolded it.
My sweet Nia,
If you are reading this, then you have reached an age when you can begin making decisions about your future.
I don't know what you will choose.
Maybe you will love fashion as much as I do. Maybe you will become something completely different.
I want you to know that this company was built with love, hard work, and the belief that women should be able to create something of their own.
I have protected your share because I want you to have a choice.
There may be people who tell you that you are too young, too inexperienced, or too emotional to manage what belongs to you.
Listen carefully, sweetheart.
You do not need to become cruel to become strong.
You do not need to hurt people to protect yourself.
But never confuse kindness with permission.
You are allowed to say no.
You are allowed to walk away.
And you are allowed to demand the truth.
I love you.
Mom.
I pressed the letter against my chest.
For several minutes, I couldn't speak.
Mrs. Bennett waited.
Finally, I wiped my eyes.
“Can I take this home?””
“Of course.””
I looked around the studio.
“What happens now?””
“We have to restore the ownership records. We also need to examine the financial accounts and determine how much money was improperly transferred.””
I nodded.
“Can I help?””
Mrs. Bennett smiled.
“I was hoping you would ask.””
The following Monday, Mr. Harrison arranged a meeting with the company's accountant.
His name was Robert Mills.
He was a thin man in his late forties who wore rectangular glasses and carried a laptop covered in company stickers.
He spread several financial reports across the table.
“Your mother's company generated substantial revenue before her death,” he explained.
I looked at the figures.
The business had been worth considerably more than I expected.
“What happened after she died?””
Robert opened a spreadsheet.
“Revenue declined. Several major clients were redirected to another business.””
“Which business?””
He turned the laptop toward me.
“Carter Events and Fashion.””
Vanessa's company.
I felt my fingers tighten.
“How much money?””
“We're still calculating the exact amount. But based on the records available, there are significant unexplained transfers.””
Mrs. Bennett leaned forward.
“Can we identify the clients?””
Robert opened another file.
“Some of them are still active. Three have agreed to provide statements.””
“Statements about what?””
“Who contacted them and why they moved their contracts.””
I looked at him.
“Did Vanessa tell them the company had closed?””
Robert nodded.
“That's what two clients reported.””
I stared at the screen.
My mother had built that business from nothing.
And Vanessa had apparently been telling people it no longer existed while using its designs and client relationships for her own company.
I looked at Mrs. Bennett.
“Can we reopen the studio?””
She smiled.
“Technically, yes. But we need to settle the ownership dispute first.””
I nodded.
“I want to.””
Mrs. Bennett studied me.
“Are you sure?””
I looked around the room.
At the cutting table.
The old sewing machines.
The pattern folders.
The photographs of my mother.
“Yes.””
She smiled.
“Then let's begin.””
That afternoon, I returned to my father's house to collect the rest of my belongings.
I found Vanessa in the living room, speaking on the phone.
She stopped when she saw me.
“Well, look who's back.””
I walked toward the stairs.
“I'm collecting my things.””
She ended her call.
“Where have you been staying?””
“With a friend.””
She laughed.
“How dramatic.””
I ignored her.
She followed me upstairs.
“Your father has been trying to reach you.””
“I know.””
“You need to stop involving strangers in our family business.””
I turned.
“Your company isn't our family business.””
Her expression hardened.
“What did you say?””
“I know about the ownership documents.””
For a moment, she didn't move.
Then she smiled.
“Your little lawyer has been filling your head with nonsense.””
“Mrs. Bennett showed me the original records.””
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
“Patricia Bennett has always been jealous of me.””
“Why?””
“Because your mother trusted me.””
I looked at her.
“Then why did Mom document unexplained withdrawals before she died?””
Vanessa stepped closer.
“You have no idea what you're talking about.””
“Why did you transfer money from the trust?””
Her face changed.
“Your father handled the finances.””
“Your name is on the transactions.””
She looked toward the staircase.
Then she lowered her voice.
“Listen carefully, Nia. You are seventeen. You have no business accusing adults of financial crimes.””
“I have documents.””
“Documents can be misunderstood.””
“Not photographs. Not signatures. Not bank statements.””
Vanessa's jaw tightened.
Then she said something I would never forget.
“Your mother was a sentimental woman. She trusted people too easily. That's why she lost everything.””
I stared at her.
“She didn't lose everything.””
Vanessa laughed.
“You think that little sewing shop is some kind of treasure?””
I stepped closer.
“It's mine.””
Her expression changed.
“You don't understand what you're risking.””
“Then explain it.””
She leaned toward me.
“If you continue this, you'll destroy your father's life.””
I felt a cold wave pass through me.
“My father destroyed his own life when he chose to lie.””
Vanessa raised her hand.
I flinched instinctively.
She stopped.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
Then she lowered her arm.
“You're making a terrible mistake.””
I walked into my room and packed my belongings.
Before leaving, I retrieved the framed photograph of my mother.
Vanessa watched me.
“Take whatever you want. You're leaving anyway.””
I looked at her.
“I am.””
Then I carried the photograph downstairs.
Dad was standing near the front door.
He looked exhausted.
“Nia.””
I stopped.
“Can we talk?””
I nodded.
He looked at the photograph in my hands.
“Your mother loved that picture.””
“I know.””
He rubbed his forehead.
“Vanessa says you've been talking to Patricia.””
“Yes.””
“She doesn't know what happened behind the scenes.””
“Then tell me.””
He looked at the floor.
“Your mother was sick. The business was struggling. I was trying to keep everything together.””
“By giving Vanessa control?””
“I trusted her.””
“Did you know she was taking money?””
He didn't answer.
I stepped closer.
“Dad, I need you to tell me the truth.””
He finally looked at me.
“I knew about some of the transfers.””
My stomach dropped.
“How many?””
“I don't know.””
“Did you sign them?””
He swallowed.
“Some.””
I stared at him.
“Why?””
“Vanessa said the money was being used to cover expenses.””
“Which expenses?””
“I don't remember.””
I felt tears gathering.
“You told me Mom's money was gone.””
He looked away.
“I was ashamed.””
I shook my head.
“You weren't ashamed when you let me go without a graduation dress.””
He flinched.
I opened the front door.
Dad reached for my arm.
“Please don't leave like this.””
I gently pulled away.
“I didn't leave, Dad.””
I looked at the house.
“You made it impossible for me to stay.””
Then I walked outside.
But as I reached the driveway, my phone rang.
It was Mr. Harrison.
“Nia, we need to speak immediately.””
“What happened?””
“We received a response to the accounting demand.””
“From Vanessa?””
“Yes.””
I stopped walking.
“What did she say?””
Mr. Harrison's voice became unusually serious.
“She claims your mother voluntarily gave her the company shares.””
I closed my eyes.
“That's impossible.””
“There's a problem, Nia.””
“What?””
“The document she submitted is not the one we have been reviewing.””
He paused.
“It contains your mother's signature, a witness signature, and a notarization dated two days before she died.””
I felt the ground shift beneath me.
“Who witnessed it?””
May you like
Mr. Harrison took a breath.
“Your father.””
