Chapter 9: The Day the Entire Country Club Turned Against Him
At 7:15 the following morning, Vanessa woke to the Country Club Turned Against Him
At 7:15 the following morning, Vanessa woke to the sound of her phone vibrating.
She had barely slept.
Amara had been restless through the night, and the events of the previous day kept replaying in her mind.
The slap.
The laughter.
Her father's arrival.
The discovery of the stolen inheritance.
And the recording of her grandfather's final conversation.
She reached for her phone.
There were forty-three missed calls and more than a hundred notifications.
Vanessa frowned.
“What happened?””
She opened the first message.
It was a link to a video posted on a local news account.
The headline read:
*COUNTRY CLUB HEIR ACCUSES UNCLE OF CONSPIRACY AFTER PUBLIC ASSAULT.*
Her stomach tightened.
She pressed play.
A familiar face appeared.
Thomas Brooks.
He stood outside Sterling Oaks, wearing a dark suit and speaking to a group of reporters.
“My family is going through a difficult period,” he began.
“Unfortunately, certain individuals have chosen to turn a private business disagreement into a public spectacle.””
A reporter asked, “Are you referring to Richard Brooks?””
Thomas nodded.
“My brother has made serious accusations against me without presenting the full facts.””
Another reporter asked, “What about the incident involving your niece?””
Thomas sighed.
“I am deeply concerned about Vanessa. However, I believe she has been placed in an uncomfortable situation by her father.””
Vanessa sat up.
“What?””
Thomas continued.
“Richard has spent years controlling family assets. Now that his daughter has become involved, he appears to be using an unfortunate incident at Sterling Oaks to gain leverage over the board.””
A reporter interrupted.
“Are you suggesting the assault was staged?””
Thomas lowered his eyes.
“I am suggesting that people should wait for all the evidence before drawing conclusions.””
Vanessa stopped the video.
Her hands were shaking.
She called her father.
Richard answered immediately.
“Have you seen it?””
“Yes.””
“Don't respond sound of her phone vibrating.
She had barely slept.
Amara had been restless through the night, and the events of the previous day kept replaying in her mind.
The slap.
The laughter.
Her father's arrival.
The discovery of the stolen inheritance.
And the recording of her grandfather's final conversation.
She reached for her phone.
There were forty-three missed calls and more than a hundred notifications.
Vanessa frowned.
“What happened?””
She opened the first message.
It was a link to a video posted on a local news account.
The headline read:
*COUNTRY CLUB HEIR ACCUSES UNCLE OF CONSPIRACY AFTER PUBLIC ASSAULT.*
Her stomach tightened.
She pressed play.
A familiar face appeared.
Thomas Brooks.
He stood outside Sterling Oaks, wearing a dark suit and speaking to a group of reporters.
“My family is going through a difficult period,” he began.
“Unfortunately, certain individuals have chosen to turn a private business disagreement into a public spectacle.””
A reporter asked, “Are you referring to Richard Brooks?””
Thomas nodded.
“My brother has made serious accusations against me without presenting the full facts.””
Another reporter asked, “What about the incident involving your niece?””
Thomas sighed.
“I am deeply concerned about Vanessa. However, I believe she has been placed in an uncomfortable situation by her father.””
Vanessa sat up.
“What?””
Thomas continued.
“Richard has spent years controlling family assets. Now that his daughter has become involved, he appears to be using an unfortunate incident at Sterling Oaks to gain leverage over the board.””
A reporter interrupted.
“Are you suggesting the assault was staged?””
Thomas lowered his eyes.
“I am suggesting that people should wait for all the evidence before drawing conclusions.””
Vanessa stopped the video.
Her hands were shaking.
She called her father.
Richard answered immediately.
“Have you seen it?””
“Yes.””
“Don't respond publicly.””
“Dad, he's making me look like a liar.””
“I know.””
“He's saying you arranged everything.””
Richard remained calm.
“That's exactly what he wants. He wants us emotional. He wants us to publicly.””
“Dad, he's making me look like a liar.””
“I know.””
“He's saying you arranged everything.””
Richard remained calm.
“That's exactly what he wants. He wants us emotional. He wants us to make a mistake.””
Vanessa looked at Amara.
“He's using me and my make a mistake.””
Vanessa looked at Amara.
“He's using me and my daughter.””
Richard's voice softened.
“I know, sweetheart.””
“What are we going to do?””
“Today, we tell the truth.””
At Sterling Oaks, the emergency board meeting was scheduled for ten o'clock.
Thomas had arranged for several members of the press to attend.
He believed the publicity would pressure Arthur Whitmore into stepping down and force the board to recognize his claimed voting rights.
But Richard had something Thomas didn't know about.
The original trust documents.
The recording.
And the evidence of the fraudulent transfer attempt.
At 9:30 a.m., Arthur arrived at the club.
He was carrying a thick folder.
James Carter entered five minutes later.
Then Richard arrived with Vanessa.
She wore a simple navy dress and carried Amara in a cream-colored blanket.
Her cheek still showed a faint bruise.
Richard looked at her.
“You don't have to do this.””
Vanessa adjusted the blanket.
“Yes, I do.””
“Are you sure?””
She nodded.
“I spent yesterday sitting on that marble floor while people laughed at me. I don't want them deciding what happened.””
Richard looked at her for a moment.
Then he nodded.
“Then we'll walk in together.””
At the entrance, Eleanor Price was waiting.
She approached Vanessa and gently touched her arm.
“I've been thinking about you all night.””
Vanessa smiled.
“Thank you.””
Eleanor looked at Amara.
“How is she?””
“She's doing much better.””
Eleanor nodded.
“I brought something.””
She held up her phone.
“Several members have signed statements confirming what happened. And I have the original video.””
Vanessa's eyes filled.
“You didn't have to do that.””
“Yes, I did.””
Eleanor glanced toward the meeting room.
“People need to understand that silence makes it easier for someone like Victoria to keep doing what she does.””
Vanessa squeezed her hand.
“Thank you.””
Inside the main conference room, Thomas stood near the chairman's seat.
Victoria was beside him.
She wore a black business dress and had her hair pulled into a tight bun.
Daniel sat near the back.
He had been called to provide a statement.
Several board members were already present.
Thomas looked up when Richard entered.
“Ah. The family has arrived.””
Richard ignored him.
Arthur took his seat at the head of the table.
“Let's begin.””
Thomas immediately stood.
“Before we discuss anything else, I believe the board deserves an explanation regarding the allegations made daughter.””
Richard's voice softened.
“I know, sweetheart.””
“What are we going to do?””
“Today, we tell the truth.””
At Sterling Oaks, the emergency board meeting was scheduled for ten o'clock.
Thomas had arranged for several members of the press to attend.
He believed the publicity would pressure Arthur Whitmore into stepping down and force the board to recognize his claimed voting rights.
But Richard had something Thomas didn't know about.
The original trust documents.
The recording.
And the evidence of the fraudulent transfer attempt.
At 9:30 a.m., Arthur arrived at the club.
He was carrying a thick folder.
James Carter entered five minutes later.
Then Richard arrived with Vanessa.
She wore a simple navy dress and carried Amara in a cream-colored blanket.
Her cheek still showed a faint bruise.
Richard looked at her.
“You don't have to do this.””
Vanessa adjusted the blanket.
“Yes, I do.””
“Are you sure?””
She nodded.
“I spent yesterday sitting on that marble floor while people laughed at me. I don't want them deciding what happened.””
Richard looked at her for a moment.
Then he nodded.
“Then we'll walk in together.””
At the entrance, Eleanor Price was waiting.
She approached Vanessa and gently touched her arm.
“I've been thinking about you all night.””
Vanessa smiled.
“Thank you.””
Eleanor looked at Amara.
“How is she?””
“She's doing much better.””
Eleanor nodded.
“I brought something.””
She held up her phone.
“Several members have signed statements confirming what happened. And I have the original video.””
Vanessa's eyes filled.
“You didn't have to do that.””
“Yes, I did.””
Eleanor glanced toward the meeting room.
“People need to understand that silence makes it easier for someone like Victoria to keep doing what she does.””
Vanessa squeezed her hand.
“Thank you.””
Inside the main conference room, Thomas stood near the chairman's seat.
Victoria was beside him.
She wore a black business dress and had her hair pulled into a tight bun.
Daniel sat near the back.
He had been called to provide a statement.
Several board members were already present.
Thomas looked up when Richard entered.
“Ah. The family has arrived.””
Richard ignored him.
Arthur took his seat at the head of the table.
“Let's begin.””
Thomas immediately stood.
“Before we discuss anything else, I believe the board deserves an explanation regarding the allegations made against me.””
Arthur looked at him.
“You'll have your opportunity.””
Thomas placed a folder on the table.
“This document establishes my authority over the family trust.””
James opened his own folder.
“And we have the original trust documents that establish otherwise.””
Thomas smiled.
“Copies can be manipulated.””
James nodded.
“Which is why we brought the originals and independent verification.””
Thomas's smile weakened.
Richard stood.
“I'd like to begin with something simple.””
He turned toward the board.
“My daughter came to this club yesterday with a valid invitation. She was struck by a manager, humiliated in front of members, and threatened with removal.””
Victoria interrupted.
“That is not an accurate description.””
Arthur raised his hand.
“Victoria, you'll have your turn.””
Richard continued.
“The incident was recorded by multiple witnesses. The club's security footage has been preserved. The original video has been provided to legal counsel.””
He placed a printed photograph on the table.
It showed Vanessa sitting on the marble floor, holding Amara.
Several board members looked away.
Thomas leaned back.
“Emotional photographs don't establish the ownership of a business.””
Richard turned toward him.
“Neither does a forged signature.””
The room became silent.
Thomas's expression hardened.
James connected his laptop to the large display.
The first document appeared.
It was the original revocation of Thomas's voting authority.
The second showed the amended trust structure.
The third established Vanessa as the sole beneficiary of the forty-two-million-dollar property trust.
A board member leaned forward.
“Is this authentic?””
James answered.
“Yes. The originals were retrieved from a bank safety deposit box under against me.””
Arthur looked at him.
“You'll have your opportunity.””
Thomas placed a folder on the table.
“This document establishes my authority over the family trust.””
James opened his own folder.
“And we have the original trust documents that establish otherwise.””
Thomas smiled.
“Copies can be manipulated.””
James nodded.
“Which is why we brought the originals and independent verification.””
Thomas's smile weakened.
Richard stood.
“I'd like to begin with something simple.””
He turned toward the board.
“My daughter came to this club yesterday with a valid invitation. She was struck by a manager, humiliated in front of members, and threatened with removal.””
Victoria interrupted.
“That is not an accurate description.””
Arthur raised his hand.
“Victoria, you'll have your turn.””
Richard continued.
“The incident was recorded by multiple witnesses. The club's security footage has been preserved. The original video has been provided to legal counsel.””
He placed a printed photograph on the table.
It showed Vanessa sitting on the marble floor, holding Amara.
Several board members looked away.
Thomas leaned back.
“Emotional photographs don't establish the ownership of a business.””
Richard turned toward him.
“Neither does a forged signature.””
The room became silent.
Thomas's expression hardened.
James connected his laptop to the large display.
The first document appeared.
It was the original revocation of Thomas's voting authority.
The second showed the amended trust structure.
The third established Vanessa as the sole beneficiary of the forty-two-million-dollar property trust.
A board member leaned forward.
“Is this authentic?””
James answered.
“Yes. The originals were retrieved from a bank safety deposit box under the supervision of the institution. The signatures and supporting records are being independently examined.””
Thomas stood.
“This is absurd.””
the supervision of the institution. The signatures and supporting records are being independently examined.””
Thomas stood.
“This is absurd.””
Richard looked at him.
“Sit down.””
“You don't get to order me around.””
“No. But the documents do.””
A few membersRichard looked at him.
“Sit down.””
“You don't get to order me around.””
“No. But the documents do.””
A few members shifted in their seats.
James displayed the electronic transfer request.
“This request attempted to transfer Vanessa Brooks's beneficial ownership to Thomas Brooks using an electronic authorization that Vanessa denies shifted in their seats.
James displayed the electronic transfer request.
“This request attempted to transfer Vanessa Brooks's beneficial ownership to Thomas Brooks using an electronic authorization that Vanessa denies providing.””
Vanessa spoke for the first time.
“I never signed it.””
Thomas laughed.
“Of course you would say providing.””
Vanessa spoke for the first time.
“I never signed it.””
Thomas laughed.
“Of course you would say that.””
Vanessa looked directly at him.
“Uncle Thomas, why would I give you something you spent years that.””
Vanessa looked directly at him.
“Uncle Thomas, why would I give you something you spent years hiding from me?””
Thomas's face tightened.
“You have no idea what you're talking about.””
“I know my grandfather left me something. I know you kept it from me. And I know you tried hiding from me?””
Thomas's face tightened.
“You have no idea what you're talking about.””
“I know my grandfather left me something. I know you kept it from me. And I know you tried to take it yesterday.””
Thomas pointed toward her.
“You're being manipulated!””
Richard stood.
“Enough.””
Then Daniel to take it yesterday.””
Thomas pointed toward her.
“You're being manipulated!””
Richard stood.
“Enough.””
Then Daniel rose.
“I have something to say.””
Thomas turned sharply.
“Sit down, Daniel.””
Daniel didn't move.
“I worked for rose.
“I have something to say.””
Thomas turned sharply.
“Sit down, Daniel.””
Daniel didn't move.
“I worked for Victoria Harrington for three years. I witnessed her remove Vanessa's name from the guest list. I watched her strike Vanessa. I also saw communications between Victoria and Thomas regarding Victoria Harrington for three years.
I witnessed her remove Vanessa's name from the guest list. I watched her strike Vanessa. I also saw communications between Victoria and Thomas regarding the development proposal.””
Victoria's face turned red.
“That's a lie.””
Daniel opened a the development proposal.””
Victoria's face turned red.
“That's a lie.””
Daniel opened a folder.
“I saved the emails.””
Thomas looked at him.
“You ungrateful little coward.””
Daniel swallowed.
“I was a coward folder.
“I saved the emails.””
Thomas looked at him.
“You ungrateful little coward.””
Daniel swallowed.
“I was a coward yesterday. I'm not being one today.””
A few members murmured.
Daniel continued.
“I was instructed to prepare documents yesterday. I'm not being one today.””
A few members murmured.
Daniel continued.
“I was instructed to prepare documents for the transition agreement. I was also instructed to delete certain emails after the luncheon.””
James stepped for the transition agreement. I was also instructed to delete certain emails after the luncheon.””
James stepped forward.
“Did you comply?””
Daniel looked down.
“I deleted some. But I recovered the copies from the company archive forward.
“Did you comply?””
Daniel looked down.
“I deleted some. But I recovered the copies from the company archive.””
Thomas's face had gone pale.
Arthur looked at him.
“Thomas, did you authorize the development agreement?””
Thomas didn't.””
Thomas's face had gone pale.
Arthur looked at him.
“Thomas, did you authorize the development agreement?””
Thomas didn't answer.
Arthur repeated the question.
“Did you authorize it?””
Thomas finally spoke.
“I was protecting the club's financial future.””
Arthur shook his head.
“By answer.
Arthur repeated the question.
“Did you authorize it?””
Thomas finally spoke.
“I was protecting the club's financial future.””
Arthur shook his head.
“By forging my signature?””
“I never forged anything.””
James displayed the document again.
“The signature was submitted electronically using credentials associated with your office.””
forging my signature?””
“I never forged anything.””
James displayed the document again.
“The signature was submitted electronically using credentials associated with your office.””
Thomas looked toward Victoria.
She immediately shook her head.
“Don't look at me.””
Thomas's voice rose.
“You toldThomas looked toward Victoria.
She immediately shook her head.
“Don't look at me.””
Thomas's voice rose.
“You told me the authorization was ready!””
Victoria stood.
“Because you told me the chairman had approved it!””
Arthur slammed his palm on the table.
“ me the authorization was ready!””
Victoria stood.
“Because you told me the chairman had approved it!””
Arthur slammed his palm on the table.
“Both of you, sit down!””
Nobody moved.
Thomas pointed at Victoria.
“You were supposed to handle the guest list!””
Victoria shouted back.
“You told meBoth of you, sit down!””
Nobody moved.
Thomas pointed at Victoria.
“You were supposed to handle the guest list!””
Victoria shouted back.
“You told me Vanessa wasn't supposed to be there!””
The room went silent.
Richard looked at them.
“Thank you.””
Thomas turned.
“What?””
“You just confirmed that you were involved in removing my daughter's name.””
Thomas's Vanessa wasn't supposed to be there!””
The room went silent.
Richard looked at them.
“Thank you.””
Thomas turned.
“What?””
“You just confirmed that you were involved in removing my daughter's name.””
Thomas's face changed.
He realized what he had said.
James calmly closed the document folder.
“We'll preserve that statement as part of the record.””
Thomas sank into face changed.
He realized what he had said.
James calmly closed the document folder.
“We'll preserve that statement as part of the record.””
Thomas sank into his chair.
But Richard wasn't finished.
He placed the small recording device on the table.
“This belonged to my father.””
Thomas his chair.
But Richard wasn't finished.
He placed the small recording device on the table.
“This belonged to my father.””
Thomas stared at it.
For the first time, he looked genuinely frightened.
Richard pressed play.
Samuel's voice filled the conference room.
“October eighteenth. Ten forty-five p.m.””
The room became completely silent stared at it.
For the first time, he looked genuinely frightened.
Richard pressed play.
Samuel's voice filled the conference room.
“October eighteenth. Ten forty-five p.m.””
The room became completely silent.
Then came Thomas's recorded voice.
“You're making a terrible mistake, Father.””
Samuel answered.
“The mistake was trusting you with the accounts.””
The recording.
Then came Thomas's recorded voice.
“You're making a terrible mistake, Father.””
Samuel answered.
“The mistake was trusting you with the accounts.””
The recording continued.
Thomas's angry voice echoed through the speakers.
“I'm your son, too!””
“And that is why this hurts.””
Then the sound of the glass breaking.
continued.
Thomas's angry voice echoed through the speakers.
“I'm your son, too!””
“And that is why this hurts.””
Then the sound of the glass breaking.
Samuel's final words.
“Put that bottle down, Thomas.””
Thomas suddenly jumped up.
“Turn it off!””
Richard didn't move.
The recording continued.
“You won't be able to stop me.””
Then theSamuel's final words.
“Put that bottle down, Thomas.””
Thomas suddenly jumped up.
“Turn it off!””
Richard didn't move.
The recording continued.
“You won't be able to stop me.””
Then the silence.
When the audio ended, nobody spoke.
Thomas looked around the room.
“This proves nothing.””
James closed the laptop.
“It establishes a serious matter that requires investigation. silence.
When the audio ended, nobody spoke.
Thomas looked around the room.
“This proves nothing.””
James closed the laptop.
“It establishes a serious matter that requires investigation. The original recording and supporting documents have been preserved for law enforcement.””
Thomas turned toward Richard.
“You're destroying your own brother.””
Richard looked at him.
“No, Thomas. I'm finally The original recording and supporting documents have been preserved for law enforcement.””
Thomas turned toward Richard.
“You're destroying your own brother.””
Richard looked at him.
“No, Thomas. I'm finally refusing to let you destroy everyone else.””
A knock came at the conference room door.
Two investigators entered with a uniformed officer.
One of them approached Thomas.
“Mr. Thomas Brooks refusing to let you destroy everyone else.””
A knock came at the conference room door.
Two investigators entered with a uniformed officer.
One of them approached Thomas.
“Mr. Thomas Brooks?””
Thomas looked toward Arthur.
“What's this?””
The investigator spoke calmly.
“We need you to accompany us for questioning regarding suspected financial fraud, document forgery, and the?””
Thomas looked toward Arthur.
“What's this?””
The investigator spoke calmly.
“We need you to accompany us for questioning regarding suspected financial fraud, document forgery, and the circumstances surrounding Samuel Brooks's death.””
Thomas stood abruptly.
“You cannot arrest me based on a recording from twenty-four years ago!””
The investigator remained composed.
“We're not asking you to answer questions here. circumstances surrounding Samuel Brooks's death.””
Thomas stood abruptly.
“You cannot arrest me based on a recording from twenty-four years ago!””
The investigator remained composed.
“We're not asking you to answer questions here. We need you to come with us voluntarily.””
Thomas looked toward Richard.
“You planned this.””
Richard shook his head.
“No. You did.””
Victoria began crying.
“Thomas, tell them!””
Thomas turned toward her.
“Shut We need you to come with us voluntarily.””
Thomas looked toward Richard.
“You planned this.””
Richard shook his head.
“No. You did.””
Victoria began crying.
“Thomas, tell them!””
Thomas turned toward her.
“Shut up.””
She stared at him.
“You promised me I would be protected!””
Thomas stepped closer.
“I told up.””
She stared at him.
“You promised me I would be protected!””
Thomas stepped closer.
“I told you to keep Vanessa off the guest list. I didn't tell you to slap her.””
Victoria's mouth fell open.
The investigators exchanged a glance.
James quietly noted you to keep Vanessa off the guest list. I didn't tell you to slap her.””
Victoria's mouth fell open.
The investigators exchanged a glance.
James quietly noted the exchange.
Arthur stood.
“Victoria Harrington, your employment is terminated effective immediately, pending the completion of the club's formal proceedings. The club will cooperate fully with the investigation the exchange.
Arthur stood.
“Victoria Harrington, your employment is terminated effective immediately, pending the completion of the club's formal proceedings. The club will cooperate fully with the investigation.””
Victoria sank into her chair.
Thomas was escorted toward the door.
Before leaving, he turned toward Vanessa.
“You have no idea what you've done.””
Vanessa stood with Amara in her arms.
“Yes,.””
Victoria sank into her chair.
Thomas was escorted toward the door.
Before leaving, he turned toward Vanessa.
“You have no idea what you've done.””
Vanessa stood with Amara in her arms.
“Yes, Uncle Thomas.””
She looked directly into his eyes.
“I finally found out what you did.””
The door closed behind him.
The conference room remained silent.
Then Arthur rose.
“I have one final Uncle Thomas.””
She looked directly into his eyes.
“I finally found out what you did.””
The door closed behind him.
The conference room remained silent.
Then Arthur rose.
“I have one final announcement.””
Everyone looked at him.
He addressed the board.
“Effective immediately, Victoria Harrington's management authority is revoked. announcement.””
Everyone looked at him.
He addressed the board.
“Effective immediately, Victoria Harrington's management authority is revoked. The proposed Crestwell agreement is suspended. An independent review of the club's financial records will begin today.””
He paused.
“And I would like The proposed Crestwell agreement is suspended. An independent review of the club's financial records will begin today.””
He paused.
“And I would like to formally apologize to Vanessa Brooks and her daughter.””
Vanessa nodded.
“Thank you.””
Arthur looked toward Richard.
“I also believe the club owes the Brooks Foundation more than an apology.””
Richard to formally apologize to Vanessa Brooks and her daughter.””
Vanessa nodded.
“Thank you.””
Arthur looked toward Richard.
“I also believe the club owes the Brooks Foundation more than an apology.””
Richard remained silent.
Arthur continued.
“I would like the board to consider establishing a permanent maternal support program in the east wing, under the foundation's original agreement.””
Vanessa looked at her father.
Richard gave her a small nod.
remained silent.
Arthur continued.
“I would like the board to consider establishing a permanent maternal support program in the east wing, under the foundation's original agreement.””
Vanessa looked at her father.
Richard gave her a small nod.
Then the conference room doors opened again.
A journalist hurried inside.
“Mr. Brooks! We have just received information from law enforcement.””
Richard turned.
“What information?””
The journalist held up her phone.
“Thomas Brooks has been questioned inThen the conference room doors opened again.
A journalist hurried inside.
“Mr. Brooks! We have just received information from law enforcement.””
Richard turned.
“What information?””
The journalist held up her phone.
“Thomas Brooks has been questioned in connection with your father's death. But investigators have also discovered a second financial account.””
James frowned.
“What account?””
The journalist looked at her screen.
“One registered under a company connection with your father's death. But investigators have also discovered a second financial account.””
James frowned.
“What account?””
The journalist looked at her screen.
“One registered under a company that has been receiving payments from the Brooks Foundation for nearly twenty years.””
Richard's face changed.
“That's impossible.””
The journalist continued.
“According to the preliminary records, the account was never listed in the foundation that has been receiving payments from the Brooks Foundation for nearly twenty years.””
Richard's face changed.
“That's impossible.””
The journalist continued.
“According to the preliminary records, the account was never listed in the foundation's official financial statements.””
Vanessa looked at James.
“Where did the money go?””
James checked the document the journalist had sent him.
His face slowly went pale.
The account's's official financial statements.””
Vanessa looked at James.
“Where did the money go?””
James checked the document the journalist had sent him.
His face slowly went pale.
The account's authorized beneficiary wasn't Thomas.
It wasn't Victoria.
It wasn't even a member of the Brooks family.
It belonged to someone who had attended the charity luncheon yesterday.
Someone who authorized beneficiary wasn't Thomas.
It wasn't Victoria.
It wasn't even a member of the Brooks family.
It belonged to someone who had attended the charity luncheon yesterday.
Someone who had laughed while Vanessa sat on the marble floor.
Someone who had stood close enough to witness the entire assault.
James looked at Richard.
“Richard, we have another problem.””
He turned had laughed while Vanessa sat on the marble floor.
Someone who had stood close enough to witness the entire assault.
James looked at Richard.
“Richard, we have another problem.””
He turned the phone around.
The name on the account was:
*ARTHUR WHITMORE.*
The chairman.
The man who had apologized to Vanessa.
The man who had promised to the phone around.
The name on the account was:
*ARTHUR WHITMORE.*
The chairman.
The man who had apologized to Vanessa.
The man who had promised to protect the foundation.
And the man who had just publicly condemned Thomas.
Richard slowly turned toward Arthur.
Arthur was already staring at the screen.
His face had lost every trace of protect the foundation.
And the man who had just publicly condemned Thomas.
Richard slowly turned toward Arthur.
Arthur was already staring at the screen.
His face had lost every trace of color.
“Richard,” he whispered, “I can explain.””
Vanessa pulled Amara closer.
Because the man who had promised to help them might have been part of the betrayal all along.
And the investigation had only just begun. color.
“Richard,” he whispered, “I can explain.””
Vanessa pulled Amara closer.
May you like
Because the man who had promised to help them might have been part of the betrayal all along.
And the investigation had only just begun.