Chapter 3 - The Documents in the SafeThe ballroom dissolved into chaos. Chairs scraped against parquet flooring as guests scrambled to whisper, gossip, and slip out toward the lobby.
I didn't run. I walked up the stage steps, scooped Ethan into my arms, and held him tight against my chest. His little red jacket smelled like laundry detergent and peppermint gum.
"You okay, buddy?" I whispered into his hair.
"I just wanted him to tell the truth, Mom," Ethan murmured back, resting his head on my shoulder.
Before I could turn away, a hurried set of footsteps approached. It wasn’t Daniel. It was his longtime chief operating officer and personal fixer, Julian Vance, looking flustered and clutching a thick leather portfolio.
"Claire," Julian breathed out, adjusting his tie frantically. "Wait. Please don't leave yet. You need to see this. Both of you."
I narrowed my eyes. "Julian, I have nothing to say to anyone in this family anymore. We’re going home."
"No, Claire, listen to me," Julian insisted, lowering his voice so the remaining caterers couldn't hear. He glanced around nervously before pulling a manila folder halfway out of the portfolio. "Daniel didn't just invite you here to gloat about his success. That note... it wasn't just about showing off his new life."
"Then what was it about?" I asked, my grip tightening around Ethan.
Julian swallowed hard, his hands trembling slightly. "Two weeks ago, Daniel's board discovered a massive financial discrepancy in the company’s expansion accounts. Millions are missing. And the signature authorizing the shell company transfer... it wasn't Daniel's."
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My breath hitched. "Whose was it?"
"Yours, Claire," Julian whispered grimly. "Someone forged your signature on documents dating back to the week you filed for divorce. The board is planning to file federal fraud charges on Monday morning. Unless you sign a liability waiver tonight."
