Chapter 4: The Name at the Bottom
For almost a full minute, Richard couldn't move.
He sat behind his desk, staring at the photograph Olivia had sent him.
The document was titled Authorization to Manage Wedding-Related Financial Arrangements.
Marcus Reed's name appeared at the top.
Olivia's name appeared beneath his.
But at the bottom, beside a section marked Witness and Acknowledgment, was Daniel Carter's name.
Richard read it again.
Then again.
Daniel was supposed to be marrying Olivia in eleven days.
Why was his name on a document connected to Marcus's financial arrangements?
Richard immediately called him.
Daniel answered while driving.
“Hey, Richard. Everything okay?””
“Daniel, I need you to look at something.””
“What is it?””
Richard sent him the photograph.
There was a pause.
Then Daniel said, “Where did you get that?””
“Olivia sent it to me. Do you know what it is?””
“I've never seen that document before.””
“Your name is on it.””
“I can see that.””
Richard leaned back.
“Daniel, I'm not accusing you of anything. But I need the truth.””
Daniel's breathing became audible.
“Mr. Bennett, I swear I didn't sign that.””
Richard closed his eyes.
“Then how did your name get there?””
“I don't know. But I think I know where this is coming from.””
“Tell me.””
“Marcus asked me for a copy of my driver's license last week.””
Richard's expression hardened.
“Why?””
“He said the wedding venue needed identification from the groom for some paperwork. I thought it was normal.””
“Did you send it?””
“Yes.””
Richard looked at the photograph again.
“Daniel, don't send that man anything else.””
“I won't.””
There was a moment of silence.
Then Daniel spoke.
“There's something else I haven't told you.””
Richard waited.
“I found out Marcus has been telling Olivia that I agreed to let him manage the wedding payments. He said it would make things easier because he's her biological father.””
Richard rubbed his forehead.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I didn't want to create more problems between Olivia and you.””
Richard looked toward the hallway.
“Sometimes silence creates bigger problems.””
“I know. I'm sorry.””
Richard softened his voice.
“Daniel, I want to ask you something.””
“Anything.””
“Do you still want to marry my daughter?””
Daniel didn't hesitate.
“Yes, sir. More than anything.””
Richard nodded slowly.
“Then we need to figure out what's happening before she signs anything.””
Meanwhile, Olivia sat at Marcus's apartment, holding the document.
Marcus stood beside the kitchen counter, pouring himself a glass of water.
“Why is Daniel's name on this?”” she asked.
Marcus didn't turn around.
“Because he's the groom.””
“But he says he never signed it.””
Marcus placed the glass down.
“He probably doesn't remember. There were several documents.””
“Dad, this is a legal form.””
Marcus finally faced her.
“Olivia, you're making this more complicated than it needs to be.””
She frowned.
“Why does the venue need you to manage the money?””
“They don't. I'm trying to organize everything.””
“But Richard already paid.””
Marcus gave a small laugh.
“That's exactly why I need to be involved.””
She looked confused.
“What does that mean?””
Marcus pulled out a chair.
“Your adoptive father has been making all the decisions. He controls the deposits, the contracts, the payments. What happens if something goes wrong? Who has access to the money?””
“Richard.””
“Exactly.””
“He's paid for everything.””
Marcus shook his head.
“That's the problem, Olivia. He has too much control.””
She looked down at the document.
“I don't understand.””
Marcus leaned forward.
“Sweetheart, you're getting married. You're starting your own family. You shouldn't have to ask another man for permission to access your own wedding arrangements.””
Olivia looked up.
“Richard has never made me ask permission.””
Marcus sighed.
“Of course you'd defend him.””
“Why are you saying that?””
“Because you've been conditioned to believe you owe him everything.””
Olivia's face tightened.
“He raised me.””
“And I gave you life.””
The words hung between them.
Marcus reached across the table.
“I'm not asking you to choose. I'm asking you to let me be your father.””
Olivia stared at him.
For the first time, his words didn't feel comforting.
They felt like a demand.
“Let me take this home,” she said.
Marcus withdrew his hand.
“Fine. But don't let Richard scare you into changing your mind.””
That evening, Daniel arrived at Richard's house.
Margaret opened the door.
“Daniel.””
“Hi, Margaret. Is Richard here?””
“He's in the study.””
Daniel walked inside.
Richard was standing beside his desk, holding a printed copy of the authorization document.
Daniel looked at it.
“That's the one.””
Richard pointed to the signature section.
“Did you sign anything remotely similar?””
“No.””
“Did you give Marcus permission to use your information?””
Daniel hesitated.
“I gave him a copy of my license. That's all.””
Richard placed the paper down.
“Why would he need your driver's license?””
“He said the venue needed it for the marriage registration paperwork.””
Richard frowned.
“That's not how venue payments work.””
“I know that now.””
Margaret entered with three cups of coffee.
“Have either of you told Olivia?””
Daniel shook his head.
“I tried. She won't listen.””
Richard sat down.
“Then we need to show her something she can't dismiss as jealousy.””
Daniel pulled his phone from his pocket.
“I found something.””
He opened an email.
It was a message Marcus had accidentally copied him on while discussing wedding arrangements.
The subject line read:
Olivia Wedding — Payment Opportunity.
Daniel opened the attachment.
Inside was a spreadsheet.
There were several entries.
Venue deposit: $15,000.
Catering: $9,500.
Photography and video: $4,200.
Decorations: $7,800.
Additional services: $13,000.
Total: $52,000.
Richard stared at the numbers.
“That's the entire wedding budget.””
Daniel nodded.
“Look at the final column.””
Richard leaned closer.
The heading read:
Potential Refund/Transfer.
Several amounts were listed beside the vendors.
Richard's stomach turned.
“Was Marcus planning to cancel the wedding?””
“I don't know.””
Margaret covered her mouth.
Daniel scrolled down.
Then he stopped.
“There's another tab.””
He opened it.
The title was Personal Liabilities.
Marcus's name appeared beside several outstanding debts.
Daniel looked at Richard.
“I think he planned to use the wedding payments to solve his financial problems.””
Richard stared at the screen.
But one detail bothered him.
“Why is your name here?””
Daniel scrolled further.
A line near the bottom read:
Groom — approval required for transfer.
Daniel shook his head.
“I never approved anything.””
Richard stood.
“Then we have to stop him.””
The next morning, Olivia arrived at Richard's house carrying the authorization document.
She placed it on the dining table.
“I want an explanation.””
Richard looked up from his coffee.
“Good morning to you too.””
“Don't do that.””
“Do what?””
“Act like nothing happened.””
Richard folded his newspaper.
“Sit down, Olivia.””
She remained standing.
“Marcus says you're trying to block him from helping with the wedding.””
Richard nodded.
“And what do you think?””
“I think you don't want him involved.””
Richard looked at her.
“That's not what I said.””
“Then explain this.””
She pushed the document toward him.
Richard examined it.
“Did you sign this?””
“No.””
“Did you authorize anyone to sign it for you?””
“No.””
“Then why are you bringing it to me?””
“Because Marcus says it's legitimate.””
Richard slowly placed the paper down.
“Olivia, did you know that he has been asking about transferring the wedding deposits?””
She frowned.
“He said he wanted to protect the money.””
“From whom?””
“From people who might interfere.””
Richard looked at her.
“Who do you think has paid for your wedding?””
She looked away.
“You.””
“Who has the contracts?””
“You.””
“Who has been communicating with the vendors?””
“You.””
Richard paused.
“Then tell me why a man who hasn't paid a single dollar toward this wedding needs authority over the money.””
Olivia's face reddened.
“Because he's my father.””
Richard looked down.
For a moment, the only sound was the ticking clock.
Then he said quietly, “I see.””
Olivia seemed to realize how harsh that sounded.
“Dad, I didn't mean—”
“It's okay.””
“No, listen—”
“Olivia, I have spent twenty years making sure you never had to worry about money, safety, or whether someone would show up for you.””
He pushed the document back toward her.
“I didn't do those things so you would owe me your life.””
She looked at him.
“Then why are you making me feel like I owe you something?””
Richard's eyes filled.
“Because I never thought I'd have to explain that being your father was never a transaction.””
Olivia's expression softened.
But her phone rang.
Marcus.
She answered.
“Hey, Dad.””
Richard looked away.
Marcus's voice was loud enough for him to hear.
“Sweetheart, have you spoken to Richard?””
“I'm here now.””
“Good. Did he sign the authorization?””
Olivia looked at Richard.
“No.””
Marcus sighed dramatically.
“I knew he'd do this.””
Richard stood and walked toward the kitchen.
Olivia watched him leave.
Then Marcus said something that made her freeze.
“Don't worry. If Richard refuses, we'll just use the other document.””
“What other document?””
There was a brief silence.
Then Marcus replied:
“The one your mother signed before she died.””
Olivia stopped breathing.
“What are you talking about?””
May you like
Marcus lowered his voice.
“There's something about your inheritance that Richard never told you.””
