Chapter 13 - The Other Version of Sofia BennettThe article appeared July 6.
HOUSEKEEPER IN PREGNANCY ATTACK HAD PRIOR DISCIPLINARY HISTORY.
It described Sofia as unstable.
Confrontational.
Previously fired for disobeying an employer.
Sofia read it in Leah's office.
Her hands shook.
“It's technically based on something real.”
“What happened?”
“Two years ago I worked for a family with a toddler.”
“And?”
“The father wanted me to leave the child alone in a locked bedroom while the parents attended a party downstairs.”
Leah stared.
“I refused.”
“What happened?”
“He told me I was insubordinate.”
“Any records?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Sofia looked at the article.
“They'll keep doing this.”
“Somebody wants people discussing your character instead of Vanessa's actions.”
An old coworker called.
“I saw the story.”
“Everybody did.”
“You were right to refuse that night.”
“Would you say that?”
“Absolutely.”
For the first time all day, Sofia felt relief.
But the next call was worse.
A private investigator had contacted her old employer asking to purchase personnel documents.
Leah immediately began preserving evidence.
“These corrections take time.”
“How long until people stop believing it?”
“Some never will.”
Across town Vanessa hosted a private charity luncheon.
Thirty guests.
White canopy.
Pearls.
Nobody looking at her would have guessed prosecutors were reviewing whether she endangered her stepdaughter.
Hollis approached.
“We have a problem.”
“What?”
“Halcyon wants North Quay ownership.”
“Give them standard papers.”
“They want beneficial owners.”
Vanessa's smile stiffened.
“Why?”
“Because our lawyers found conflicts.”
“Can we restructure?”
“Not without disclosure.”
“And if the transaction fails?”
“We're not financing fraud.”
She turned sharply.
“Choose your words.”
“I am.”
He walked away.
That night Daniel found an envelope beneath his office door.
Inside:
A legal memorandum from February three years earlier.
Samuel had rejected an amendment expanding spousal authority over the family continuity trust.
Handwritten beside the signature line:
ABSOLUTELY NOT.
Daniel called Miriam.
“Did Dad refuse this?”
“Yes.”
“Then why is there a later signed version?”
Silence.
“Daniel, describe it.”
He did.
Miriam's voice changed.
“Your father was hospitalized the week that document was supposedly executed.”
“Could he have signed?”
“Possible.”
“But?”
“My office never received an authenticated copy.”
Daniel looked at the signature.
May you like
Samuel had been too weak to hold a coffee cup that week.
Daniel suddenly could not remember seeing him hold a pen.
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