Chapter 6 - The Share That Vanished
Antoine read the number twice.
"That can't be right."
Amina's eyes stayed on the screen.
"Why?"
"Because Beaumont was founded by my grandfather and my father."
"That's the story your family tells."
"It's in every company history."
"Company histories are written by companies."
Charlotte crossed her arms. "So now you're claiming your mother owned us?"
Amina turned slowly.
"I'm claiming the ledger says she owned thirty-five percent of the original atelier."
"A twenty-year-old book proves nothing."
"Thirty-year-old."
Charlotte rolled her eyes.
That tiny gesture did more than the insult.
Amina took a photograph of the screen and sent it to her attorney, Jules Maren.
His reply came less than a minute later.
DO NOT LET THAT LEDGER LEAVE BEAUMONT CONTROL AGAIN.
Then another message.
I FOUND A 1998 NOTARIAL REFERENCE TO A DIALLO SHARE TRUST.
Antoine read over her shoulder.
"A trust?"
Amina called Jules on speaker.
"Talk."
"The archive index shows a private instrument registered in 1998. Beneficiary listed only as M.D. issue."
Amina's throat tightened.
M.D. issue.
Child of Mariam Diallo.
Her.
"Can you retrieve it?"
"The original record was transferred to a private notary archive in 2001."
"Whose request?"
Paper rustled on the other end.
"Bernard Beaumont."
Charlotte suddenly moved toward the exit.
Vincent, the building security director, blocked the door.
"Madame, the premises are under compliance hold."
"I'm not an employee."
Amina said, "No. You're potentially a witness."
Charlotte spun. "You cannot detain me."
"I'm not. The police can decide where you go after Leila files her assault complaint."
Leila lifted her chin.
"I already did."
Charlotte went still.
Then Antoine's phone rang.
His father.
He answered.
May you like
Bernard didn't greet him.
"If Amina finds the Diallo trust," he said, "the company is finished.
