Chapter 10 - THE SALE
Northline had a history of buying family businesses, selling the property, cutting payroll, and reselling what remained.
Walker Supply employed four hundred people.
My grandfather had started it with one truck.
Vanessa said, "You care more about employees than Ethan."
Dad replied, "I care what kind of man my son becomes after the money arrives."
I turned to Vanessa.
"Why didn't you ask me?"
"Because you always say no when your father says no."
"So you forged a path around us."
"I was making you independent."
"No. You were making me useful."
Claire appeared in the doorway holding her phone.
"I recorded her last night."
Vanessa froze.
Claire pressed play.
Grant's voice asked, "And Ethan?"
Vanessa answered:
"Ethan will sign whatever I put in front of him once he's embarrassed enough to stop asking questions."
Then Grant asked, "What if Charles stops the wedding?"
Vanessa said:
"Then Ruth gives us leverage."
I stopped the recording.
"What leverage?"
Claire swallowed.
"I think they planned to accuse your mother of stealing."
Vanessa shouted that Claire was lying.
Then security walked in holding an empty velvet jewelry box.
May you like
Outside the windows, workers were already beginning to carry away unused ceremony decorations. White ribbons fluttered in the cold wind. My wedding was disappearing piece by piece while I discovered how long the plan behind it had existed.
A $68,000 bracelet was missing.
