Chapter 9 - The Signature in the Wrong Place
Nathaniel spent the morning with lawyers and accountants checking the unauthorized pledge. The documents bore a digital approval using his executive credentials, submitted while he was at his wedding rehearsal.
"I never authorized this," he said.
His compliance officer, Priya Shah, nodded. "The login originated from the executive office. Miles could access the backup approval process."
"Freeze it. Notify the lender and our auditors."
"That may trigger a covenant review."
"Then we'll survive a review. We won't survive pretending this is normal."
Rose, meanwhile, learned that Blake had reported her to a licensing agency for alleged misconduct. She was rejected for a restaurant job she'd been counting on.
She returned to Harbor House and asked Sonia whether they needed a volunteer.
"We always need someone who can wash dishes," Sonia said. "But you're allowed to be exhausted, Rose."
"If I sit home, I'll keep checking my phone."
They worked through lunch. Rose served soup to a mother and two children, then helped fold blankets. For the first time since the rooftop, she felt useful without having to prove anything.
That evening, a courier delivered a letter to Rose's apartment. The envelope contained a settlement agreement, an offer of enough money to clear her debts, and a promise that Victoria would withdraw all complaints if Rose signed a statement admitting she had been mistaken.
No explanation of the attack. No apology for the threats to Eli.
Rose called Amelia.
"Can they really pay me to say I didn't see what I saw?"
"They can offer money. You're free to refuse. Save everything and don't answer them alone."
Another message arrived from the same unknown number that had threatened Eli.
May you like
This one contained a photograph of Rose standing in the Harbor House kitchen that afternoon.
The caption read: WE CAN REACH YOU ANYWHERE.
