Chapter 8: What Bri## Chapter 8: What Brianna Took in the Darkanna Took in the Dark
I read the security alert three times before I understood what it meant.
I read the security alert three times before I understood what it meant.
At 2:13 a.m., someone had exported my company's shareholder records and sent them to a private email address belonging to Brianna.
NotAt 2:13 a.m., someone had exported my company's shareholder records and sent them to a private email address belonging to Brianna.
Not a general company account.
Not Marcus's business account.
Brianna's personal email.
I turned the a general company account.
Not Marcus's business account.
Brianna's personal email.
I turned the laptop toward Mom.
“Someone accessed the shareholder files last night.””
She leaned closer.
“Can you tell who?””
“Not yet.””
laptop toward Mom.
“Someone accessed the shareholder files last night.””
She leaned closer.
“Can you tell who?””
“Not yet.””
“Then call the people who can.””
I was already reaching for my phone.
Robert answered before“Then call the people who can.””
I was already reaching for my phone.
Robert answered before the first ring had finished.
“I saw the alert,” he said.
“The security team is isolating the affected account. Don't attempt to investigate the first ring had finished.
“I saw the alert,” he said.
“The security team is isolating the affected account. Don't attempt to investigate the session yourself. We need the original logs preserved.””
“Can you stop Brianna from using the files?””
“We the session yourself. We need the original logs preserved.””
“Can you stop Brianna from using the files?””
“We can notify her that the records are confidential and demand preservation and non-disclosure. Whether she has can notify her that the records are confidential and demand preservation and non-disclosure. Whether she has a legal right to possess any particular record depends on how it was obtained and what it contains.
We're a legal right to possess any particular record depends on how it was obtained and what it contains. We're also working to establish whether the export was authorized by anyone.””
“Why would she need my shareholder records?””
“That also working to establish whether the export was authorized by anyone.””
“Why would she need my shareholder records?””
“That is exactly what we're trying to determine.””
I looked at the clock.
6:42 p.m.
The office had emptied is exactly what we're trying to determine.””
I looked at the clock.
6:42 p.m.
The office had emptied around us, but the security alert had turned the quiet boardroom into something that felt dangerously exposed.
“Robert around us, but the security alert had turned the quiet boardroom into something that felt dangerously exposed.
“Robert, I want the company's access credentials reviewed tonight.””
“Already underway.””
“Every administrative account. Every remote session. Every external user, I want the company's access credentials reviewed tonight.””
“Already underway.””
“Every administrative account. Every remote session. Every external user.””
“Yes.””
“And I want the board informed before anyone else hears about this.””
“Yes.””
“And I want the board informed before anyone else hears about this.””
“I'll arrange that.””
I ended the call.
Mom stood and began collecting the papers scattered across.””
“I'll arrange that.””
I ended the call.
Mom stood and began collecting the papers scattered across the table.
“What are you doing?”” I asked.
“Making sure you don't lose the rest of your evening to a pile the table.
“What are you doing?”” I asked.
“Making sure you don't lose the rest of your evening to a pile of documents.””
“Mom, someone may have stolen confidential records.””
“And you're going to help the people investigating it. But you cannot sit here of documents.””
“Mom, someone may have stolen confidential records.””
“And you're going to help the people investigating it. But you cannot sit here until sunrise pretending that if you stare at the screen long enough, the answer will appear.””
I almost argued until sunrise pretending that if you stare at the screen long enough, the answer will appear.””
I almost argued.
Then I saw her face.
She had endured humiliation in a room full of strangers. She had watched my wedding.
Then I saw her face.
She had endured humiliation in a room full of strangers. She had watched my wedding collapse. She had learned that the man I loved might have planned to use our marriage to gain control over collapse. She had learned that the man I loved might have planned to use our marriage to gain control over my company.
And still, she was worried that I hadn't eaten.
I closed the laptop.
“Ten minutes,” my company.
And still, she was worried that I hadn't eaten.
I closed the laptop.
“Ten minutes,” I said.
She raised an eyebrow.
“Twenty.””
I smiled faintly.
“Fifteen.””
“ I said.
She raised an eyebrow.
“Twenty.””
I smiled faintly.
“Fifteen.””
“Now you're negotiating like a grown woman.””
For the first time that evening, I laughed.
We left the office together.
ButNow you're negotiating like a grown woman.””
For the first time that evening, I laughed.
We left the office together.
But as the elevator descended, my phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number.
*You need to ask Brianna what she as the elevator descended, my phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number.
You need to ask Brianna what she planned to do with your mother's house.
I stopped breathing.
I read it again.
Mom noticed my expression.
“What planned to do with your mother's house.*
I stopped breathing.
I read it again.
Mom noticed my expression.
“What is it?””
I showed her the message.
She stared at the screen.
“My house?””
I called the number.
It went is it?””
I showed her the message.
She stared at the screen.
“My house?””
I called the number.
It went straight to voicemail.
I tried again.
Nothing.
A second message arrived.
The shareholder records aren't the only thing they took.
I immediately forwarded straight to voicemail.
I tried again.
Nothing.
A second message arrived.
The shareholder records aren't the only thing they took.
I immediately forwarded both messages to Robert.
Then I turned toward Mom.
“Have you signed anything recently involving the house?””
She looked both messages to Robert.
Then I turned toward Mom.
“Have you signed anything recently involving the house?””
She looked confused.
“No. Why would I?””
“Any financial forms? Property documents? Anything Marcus or Brianna asked you confused.
“No. Why would I?””
“Any financial forms? Property documents? Anything Marcus or Brianna asked you to sign?””
“No.””
She paused.
Then her expression changed.
“Actually, Brianna asked me for a copy of the deed to sign?””
“No.””
She paused.
Then her expression changed.
“Actually, Brianna asked me for a copy of the deed a few months ago.””
My stomach tightened.
“What?””
“She said she wanted to help you organize the family paperwork before a few months ago.””
My stomach tightened.
“What?””
“She said she wanted to help you organize the family paperwork before the wedding. She told me you had asked her to collect some documents.””
“Did I?””
“No. But the wedding. She told me you had asked her to collect some documents.””
“Did I?””
“No. But Marcus was standing beside her when she asked, and he said it was just for your estate planning.””
I felt cold all Marcus was standing beside her when she asked, and he said it was just for your estate planning.””
I felt cold all over.
“Did you give her the deed?””
Mom looked at the floor.
“I gave her a photocopy.””
I closed my eyes.
“Mom over.
“Did you give her the deed?””
Mom looked at the floor.
“I gave her a photocopy.””
I closed my eyes.
“Mom.””
“I know.””
She spoke quickly, as if she wanted to get the.””
“I know.””
She spoke quickly, as if she wanted to get the explanation out before I could misunderstand her.
“She said it was only to confirm the property address. I didn't think anything of it. The house explanation out before I could misunderstand her.
“She said it was only to confirm the property address. I didn't think anything of it. The house is paid off. I wasn't borrowing money against it.””
I took her hand.
“I'm not blaming you.””
“But I should have called you.””
“Yes is paid off. I wasn't borrowing money against it.””
I took her hand.
“I'm not blaming you.””
“But I should have called you.””
“Yes,” I said gently.
“You should have.””
She nodded, looking ashamed.
I squeezed her fingers.
“We'll,” I said gently.
“You should have.””
She nodded, looking ashamed.
I squeezed her fingers.
“We'll check everything. No one can make a legitimate claim against your house just because they have a copy of the deed check everything. No one can make a legitimate claim against your house just because they have a copy of the deed. But we need to find out whether anyone used the information to prepare documents or make representations in your name.””
Mom. But we need to find out whether anyone used the information to prepare documents or make representations in your name.””
Mom swallowed.
“Do you think they were trying to take my house?””
“I don't know yet.””
And that was the truth.
I refused swallowed.
“Do you think they were trying to take my house?””
“I don't know yet.””
And that was the truth.
I refused to fill the silence with a comforting lie.
At 7:35 p.m., Robert arranged an to fill the silence with a comforting lie.
At 7:35 p.m., Robert arranged an emergency call with a property attorney and the company's security director.
Mom sat beside me in a small private room at emergency call with a property attorney and the company's security director.
Mom sat beside me in a small private room at the hotel while we reviewed the situation.
The property attorney, Rachel Monroe, asked Mom a series of careful the hotel while we reviewed the situation.
The property attorney, Rachel Monroe, asked Mom a series of careful questions.
Had she signed a mortgage?
No.
Had she authorized anyone to borrow against the house?
No.
Had she signed a power of attorney?
No.
Had she given Brianna permission to contact a questions.
Had she signed a mortgage?
No.
Had she authorized anyone to borrow against the house?
No.
Had she signed a power of attorney?
No.
Had she given Brianna permission to contact a bank or lender on her behalf?
Absolutely not.
Rachel explained that a photocopy of a deed did not, by itself, transfer ownership or authorize borrowing. The next step was to check the county's property records bank or lender on her behalf?
Absolutely not.
Rachel explained that a photocopy of a deed did not, by itself, transfer ownership or authorize borrowing. The next step was to check the county's property records for any recorded liens, transfers, or other filings and to contact the relevant institutions if there was evidence of an attempted for any recorded liens, transfers, or other filings and to contact the relevant institutions if there was evidence of an attempted transaction.
Mom sat very still.
“I've lived in that house for thirty-one years,” she said.
“My transaction.
Mom sat very still.
“I've lived in that house for thirty-one years,” she said.
“My husband and I bought it when we could barely afford the mortgage. Every room holds a memory.””
husband and I bought it when we could barely afford the mortgage. Every room holds a memory.””
Rachel's expression softened.
“I understand. We won't assume anything has happened to your property. We'll verify the publicRachel's expression softened.
“I understand. We won't assume anything has happened to your property. We'll verify the public records and establish whether anyone has attempted to use your information.””
I looked at Mom.
“Dad would have records and establish whether anyone has attempted to use your information.””
I looked at Mom.
“Dad would have been furious.””
She gave a sad little smile.
“Your father would have marched into Marcus's office carrying a toolbox and demanded to know what needed fixing.””
Despite everything, I laughed been furious.””
She gave a sad little smile.
“Your father would have marched into Marcus's office carrying a toolbox and demanded to know what needed fixing.””
Despite everything, I laughed.
“He would have.””
“And then he'd have offered to repair their broken printer before leaving.””
We shared.
“He would have.””
“And then he'd have offered to repair their broken printer before leaving.””
We shared a brief smile.
Then Rachel's computer chimed.
She examined the notification.
“I've received a brief smile.
Then Rachel's computer chimed.
She examined the notification.
“I've received the initial property-record search.””
My pulse quickened.
“What does it show?””
“No recorded transfer of the initial property-record search.””
My pulse quickened.
“What does it show?””
“No recorded transfer of ownership or new mortgage appears in the records we've checked. That's reassuring, but it doesn't establish whether anyone submitted an ownership or new mortgage appears in the records we've checked. That's reassuring, but it doesn't establish whether anyone submitted an application or prepared an unrecorded document.””
Mom exhaled.
I squeezed her hand.
“That's one thing we can cross off application or prepared an unrecorded document.””
Mom exhaled.
I squeezed her hand.
“That's one thing we can cross off the list for now.””
Rachel nodded.
“We'll continue checking the relevant records and preserve any suspicious correspondence.””
When the call ended, the list for now.””
Rachel nodded.
“We'll continue checking the relevant records and preserve any suspicious correspondence.””
When the call ended, I felt a small measure of relief.
At least Mom's house still appeared to be hers.
But the shareholder export remained unexplained I felt a small measure of relief.
At least Mom's house still appeared to be hers.
But the shareholder export remained unexplained.
And Brianna now possessed information that might reveal the structure of my company, its investors, and its internal ownership.
And Brianna now possessed information that might reveal the structure of my company, its investors, and its internal ownership arrangements.
At 8:12 p.m., Robert called again.
“We've identified the session that exported the records.””
“Wh arrangements.
At 8:12 p.m., Robert called again.
“We've identified the session that exported the records.””
“Whose account?””
“Your own credentials were used, but the session originated from a device registered to Marcus's venture.””
I stoodose account?””
“Your own credentials were used, but the session originated from a device registered to Marcus's venture.””
I stood so quickly that my chair scraped the floor.
“So Marcus accessed my account?””
“We can't say that yet. The device was associated so quickly that my chair scraped the floor.
“So Marcus accessed my account?””
“We can't say that yet. The device was associated with his company, but someone else could have been using it. We need the complete device logs and authentication history.””
“Was with his company, but someone else could have been using it. We need the complete device logs and authentication history.””
“Was two-factor authentication used?””
“Yes. The confirmation was sent to a phone number ending in 441 two-factor authentication used?””
“Yes. The confirmation was sent to a phone number ending in 4418.””
I stared at the phone.
That wasn't my number.
My current number ended in 9028.””
I stared at the phone.
That wasn't my number.
My current number ended in 9026.
“Whose number is 4418?””
Robert paused.
“We've checked the company's archived contact records. The number appears in6.
“Whose number is 4418?””
Robert paused.
“We've checked the company's archived contact records. The number appears in a vendor profile associated with Danielle Brooks's office.””
I closed my eyes.
Danielle again.
But this time, I refused to jump to a conclusion.
“Could a vendor profile associated with Danielle Brooks's office.””
I closed my eyes.
Danielle again.
But this time, I refused to jump to a conclusion.
“Could it be an old number of mine?””
“We're checking. For now, we've disabled the affected credentials and blocked it be an old number of mine?””
“We're checking. For now, we've disabled the affected credentials and blocked the session.””
“Has Brianna opened the exported files?””
“We have evidence that the export was delivered to her email address. We don't yet know whether she downloaded the session.””
“Has Brianna opened the exported files?””
“We have evidence that the export was delivered to her email address. We don't yet know whether she downloaded, forwarded, or opened the contents.””
“Then find out.””
“We will.””
I ended the call.
Mom watched, forwarded, or opened the contents.””
“Then find out.””
“We will.””
I ended the call.
Mom watched me carefully.
“Is it Danielle again?””
“Her office's phone number appears in the records me carefully.
“Is it Danielle again?””
“Her office's phone number appears in the records.””
She looked troubled.
“Do you think she was helping Marcus?””
“I think the evidence is serious enough that we can't.””
She looked troubled.
“Do you think she was helping Marcus?””
“I think the evidence is serious enough that we can't ignore it. But I don't know the full story yet.””
Mom nodded slowly.
“Then don't let your anger decide what the evidence means ignore it. But I don't know the full story yet.””
Mom nodded slowly.
“Then don't let your anger decide what the evidence means.””
I looked at her.
She had every reason to hate Danielle, Marcus, and Brianna.
.””
I looked at her.
She had every reason to hate Danielle, Marcus, and Brianna.
Yet she was still asking me to be fair.
That was my mother.
Even after someone had cutYet she was still asking me to be fair.
That was my mother.
Even after someone had cut her hair and treated her dignity as a joke, she refused to let cruelty become the only language she spoke.
I sat beside her.
“I'll her hair and treated her dignity as a joke, she refused to let cruelty become the only language she spoke.
I sat beside her.
“I'll be careful.””
She rested her head against mine.
“Good.””
At 9:03 p.m., Brianna called.
I be careful.””
She rested her head against mine.
“Good.””
At 9:03 p.m., Brianna called.
I almost let it go to voicemail.
Then I remembered the message about Mom's house.
I answered.
“What almost let it go to voicemail.
Then I remembered the message about Mom's house.
I answered.
“What do you want, Brianna?””
She sounded breathless.
“Thank God. Nia, you have to listen to do you want, Brianna?””
She sounded breathless.
“Thank God. Nia, you have to listen to me.””
“I'm listening.””
“I didn't know Marcus was going to do all this.””
“Do what?””
“The documents. The money. The share transfer. I thought it me.””
“I'm listening.””
“I didn't know Marcus was going to do all this.””
“Do what?””
“The documents. The money. The share transfer. I thought it was just business.””
I gripped the phone.
“How did you get my shareholder records?””
Silence.
Then she was just business.””
I gripped the phone.
“How did you get my shareholder records?””
Silence.
Then she said, “I didn't steal anything.””
“That wasn't my question.””
“Marcus gave me access.””
“To my said, “I didn't steal anything.””
“That wasn't my question.””
“Marcus gave me access.””
“To my account?””
“No. He sent me files.””
“Then why does the security log show an export to account?””
“No. He sent me files.””
“Then why does the security log show an export to your personal email from a session using my credentials?””
“I don't know what you're talking about.””
“Brianna, I have your personal email from a session using my credentials?””
“I don't know what you're talking about.””
“Brianna, I have the audit alert.””
Her breathing became uneven.
“Okay. Fine. I received the files. But Marcus said they were part of the investment package.””
“Why the audit alert.””
Her breathing became uneven.
“Okay. Fine. I received the files. But Marcus said they were part of the investment package.””
“Why were they sent to your personal email?””
“I was helping him organize things.””
“Why?””
“Because he asked me to.””
I closed my eyes.
“Did he ask were they sent to your personal email?””
“I was helping him organize things.””
“Why?””
“Because he asked me to.””
I closed my eyes.
“Did he ask you to use my mother's deed?””
A long silence followed.
Then Brianna whispered, “He said he needed to you to use my mother's deed?””
A long silence followed.
Then Brianna whispered, “He said he needed to know whether she had any financial claims that could affect your investment.””
“Mom doesn't have financial claims against my company.””
“I know whether she had any financial claims that could affect your investment.””
“Mom doesn't have financial claims against my company.””
“I know that now.””
“You should have known it before you started collecting her private documents.””
“I know that now.””
“You should have known it before you started collecting her private documents.””
“I didn't think it was a big deal!””
Her voice rose.
“I was trying to help my brother. He told didn't think it was a big deal!””
Her voice rose.
“I was trying to help my brother. He told me you were going to invest in the venture and that everything had been approved.””
“Did he tell you to cut Mom me you were going to invest in the venture and that everything had been approved.””
“Did he tell you to cut Mom's hair?””
“No!””
The answer came out so loudly that I pulled the phone away from my ear.
Brianna began crying.
“I's hair?””
“No!””
The answer came out so loudly that I pulled the phone away from my ear.
Brianna began crying.
“I swear, Nia. He never told me to do that. I wanted to embarrass her because swear, Nia. He never told me to do that.
I wanted to embarrass her because I was angry. I thought if she stopped hovering around you, Marcus and I could finally have I was angry. I thought if she stopped hovering around you, Marcus and I could finally have the family we wanted.””
I felt sick.
“You decided to hurt an innocent woman because you thought she was inconvenient.””
“I know.””
“No, I don't the family we wanted.””
I felt sick.
“You decided to hurt an innocent woman because you thought she was inconvenient.””
“I know.””
“No, I don't think you do.””
She sobbed.
“I made a terrible mistake.””
“You made a choice.””
“I was jealous, okay? You always got everything. think you do.””
She sobbed.
“I made a terrible mistake.””
“You made a choice.””
“I was jealous, okay? You always got everything. The business, the house, the perfect life.
Marcus always talked about how impressive you were, how much money you made, how everyone The business, the house, the perfect life. Marcus always talked about how impressive you were, how much money you made, how everyone respected you. I felt like there was never room for me.””
I stared at the wall.
“So you cut my mother's hair?””
respected you. I felt like there was never room for me.””
I stared at the wall.
“So you cut my mother's hair?””
“I didn't think you'd cancel the wedding.””
The words were so revealing that I almost couldn't respond.
“You didn't think I'd cancel the wedding?””
“I thought you'd be angry,“I didn't think you'd cancel the wedding.””
The words were so revealing that I almost couldn't respond.
“You didn't think I'd cancel the wedding?””
“I thought you'd be angry, but Marcus would talk you down. He always does.””
I went still.
“Talk me down?””
“You know what but Marcus would talk you down. He always does.””
I went still.
“Talk me down?””
“You know what I mean.””
“No. Explain it.””
Brianna sniffed.
“He said you get upset when things don't go your way, but I mean.””
“No. Explain it.””
Brianna sniffed.
“He said you get upset when things don't go your way, but you always calm down when he explains things. He said once you were married, you'd see you always calm down when he explains things. He said once you were married, you'd see that he knew what was best for both of you.””
I felt a cold clarity settle over me.
Marcus had not simply counted that he knew what was best for both of you.””
I felt a cold clarity settle over me.
Marcus had not simply counted on my love.
He had counted on my obedience.
“Did you know about the altered signature?”” I asked.
“I knew there was paperwork.””
“Did you know my signature on my love.
He had counted on my obedience.
“Did you know about the altered signature?”” I asked.
“I knew there was paperwork.””
“Did you know my signature had been copied?””
“No. I swear.””
“Did you know the share transfer gave Marcus's venture broader voting rights than the agreement he had been copied?””
“No. I swear.””
“Did you know the share transfer gave Marcus's venture broader voting rights than the agreement he showed me?””
“I didn't understand the documents.””
“Did you know he paid you $180,000?””
She showed me?””
“I didn't understand the documents.””
“Did you know he paid you $180,000?””
She stopped crying.
“Yes.””
“What services did you provide?””
“I helped with the transition plan.””
“What did you actually stopped crying.
“Yes.””
“What services did you provide?””
“I helped with the transition plan.””
“What did you actually do?””
“Emails. Meetings. Planning.””
“Where are the records?””
“I have some of them.””
“Then preserve them. Robert Hayes will contact you through do?””
“Emails. Meetings. Planning.””
“Where are the records?””
“I have some of them.””
“Then preserve them. Robert Hayes will contact you through counsel. Do not delete anything, forward anything, or attempt to access my company's systems.””
Brianna was quiet.
Then she asked, “Are you going to have me arrested?””
“I'm not the police, Brianna. I'm not going to threaten counsel. Do not delete anything, forward anything, or attempt to access my company's systems.””
Brianna was quiet.
Then she asked, “Are you going to have me arrested?””
“I'm not the police, Brianna. I'm not going to threaten you. But if the evidence shows that you participated in something illegal, I won't interfere with a you. But if the evidence shows that you participated in something illegal, I won't interfere with a proper investigation.””
She began crying again.
“Nia, please. I know I hurt your mother. I know I was awful proper investigation.””
She began crying again.
“Nia, please. I know I hurt your mother. I know I was awful. But Marcus told me everything would be fine.””
I looked toward the adjoining room, where Mom was reading.
“That's what people say when. But Marcus told me everything would be fine.””
I looked toward the adjoining room, where Mom was reading.
“That's what people say when they want someone else to take responsibility for their choices.””
I ended the call.
Then I sent Robert a factual summary of the conversation, making clear that the statements had not yet been they want someone else to take responsibility for their choices.””
I ended the call.
Then I sent Robert a factual summary of the conversation, making clear that the statements had not yet been independently verified.
I didn't feel triumphant.
I felt exhausted.
Brianna had admitted to deliberately humiliating my mother independently verified.
I didn't feel triumphant.
I felt exhausted.
Brianna had admitted to deliberately humiliating my mother. She had acknowledged receiving the files. She had described a plan that depended on Marcus controlling my response.
But. She had acknowledged receiving the files. She had described a plan that depended on Marcus controlling my response.
But the most important question remained unanswered.
Who had used my credentials to export the shareholder records?
And why had the security the most important question remained unanswered.
Who had used my credentials to export the shareholder records?
And why had the security system sent the authentication request to a number associated with Danielle's office?
At 10:18 p.m., Robert called with an update.
“The security team has recovered the authentication logs system sent the authentication request to a number associated with Danielle's office?
At 10:18 p.m., Robert called with an update.
“The security team has recovered the authentication logs. The session was initiated from a laptop assigned to Marcus's venture, and the second-factor confirmation was routed through a phone. The session was initiated from a laptop assigned to Marcus's venture, and the second-factor confirmation was routed through a phone number linked to Danielle's office.””
“Can you establish who operated the laptop?””
“Not conclusively. The laptop was shared by several authorized employees.””
“What about the phone?””
“The records show that the number was used to approve the session. We are requesting the relevant provider information through number linked to Danielle's office.””
“Can you establish who operated the laptop?””
“Not conclusively. The laptop was shared by several authorized employees.””
“What about the phone?””
“The records show that the number was used to approve the session. We are requesting the relevant provider information through the appropriate process.””
I paced the room.
“Could Danielle have approved it?””
“Possibly. But we cannot conclude that from the number alone.””
the appropriate process.””
I paced the room.
“Could Danielle have approved it?””
“Possibly. But we cannot conclude that from the number alone.””
I stopped beside the window.
“Robert, I need to know whether she was helping them.””
“We're working onI stopped beside the window.
“Robert, I need to know whether she was helping them.””
“We're working on that.””
After the call, I sat in silence.
Mom came to stand beside me.
“Do that.””
After the call, I sat in silence.
Mom came to stand beside me.
“Do you want to tell me what happened?””
I explained the conversation with Brianna, including the confession about the hair and the admission you want to tell me what happened?””
I explained the conversation with Brianna, including the confession about the hair and the admission that Marcus had given her access to the files.
Mom listened without interrupting.
When I finished, she looked down at her hands.
“I don't that Marcus had given her access to the files.
Mom listened without interrupting.
When I finished, she looked down at her hands.
“I don't want her punished because I was hurt.””
I turned toward her.
“Mom—”
“I want her to understand what she did. want her punished because I was hurt.””
I turned toward her.
“Mom—”
“I want her to understand what she did. I want her to take responsibility. But I don't want you to make a decision just because you're angry on my behalf.””
I felt I want her to take responsibility. But I don't want you to make a decision just because you're angry on my behalf.””
I felt tears rise again.
“You shouldn't have to protect the person who hurt you.””
“I'm tears rise again.
“You shouldn't have to protect the person who hurt you.””
“I'm not protecting her. I'm protecting you from becoming someone you don't want to be.””
She touched my cheek.
“Let the evidence decide not protecting her. I'm protecting you from becoming someone you don't want to be.””
She touched my cheek.
“Let the evidence decide what happens next.””
I nodded.
Then my phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered.
A woman's what happens next.””
I nodded.
Then my phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered.
A woman's voice spoke quickly.
“Ms. Carter, my name is Lauren Price. I work in Danielle Brooks voice spoke quickly.
“Ms. Carter, my name is Lauren Price. I work in Danielle Brooks's office.””
I sat upright.
“What can I do for you?””
“I shouldn't be calling you from my personal phone, but I saw something in the records that I think you's office.””
I sat upright.
“What can I do for you?””
“I shouldn't be calling you from my personal phone, but I saw something in the records that I think you need to know.””
My heart began pounding.
“What did you see?””
“Danielle didn't just upload need to know.””
My heart began pounding.
“What did you see?””
“Danielle didn't just upload the altered share transfer.””
I gripped the phone.
“What else did she do?””
Lauren took a shaky breath.
“She created a second authorization file. One the altered share transfer.””
I gripped the phone.
“What else did she do?””
Lauren took a shaky breath.
“She created a second authorization file. One that wasn't sent to Marcus.””
“Where was it sent?””
“To a private account.””
“Wh that wasn't sent to Marcus.””
“Where was it sent?””
“To a private account.””
“Whose account?””
There was a pause.
Then she whispered a name.
“David Whitmore.””
Before I could ask another question, sheose account?””
There was a pause.
Then she whispered a name.
“David Whitmore.””
Before I could ask another question, she added, “And the file wasn't about your company.””
My stomach dropped.
“What was it about?””
“ added, “And the file wasn't about your company.””
My stomach dropped.
“What was it about?””
“Your mother.””
The call disconnected.
I stared at the screen.
Then a new message arrived from Lauren.
*I'm sending you a copy. Please don't tellYour mother.””
The call disconnected.
I stared at the screen.
Then a new message arrived from Lauren.
I'm sending you a copy. Please don't tell Danielle I contacted you.
An attachment appeared.
The filename read:
*EVELYN_CARTER—AUTHORIZATION_AND Danielle I contacted you.
An attachment appeared.
The filename read:
*EVELYN_CARTER—AUTHORIZATION_AND_GUARANTEE.pdf*
I opened it.
The first page contained Mom's full legal name,_GUARANTEE.pdf**
I opened it.
The first page contained Mom's full legal name, her home address, and a description of a proposed financial guarantee.
The second page contained a signature.
My mother's signature her home address, and a description of a proposed financial guarantee.
The second page contained a signature.
My mother's signature.
And beneath it was a statement claiming that she had voluntarily agreed to use her home as security for a business loan.
Mom had never signed such an agreement.
But the document.
And beneath it was a statement claiming that she had voluntarily agreed to use her home as security for a business loan.
Mom had never signed such an agreement.
May you like
But the document had been prepared as if she had.
had been prepared as if she had.
