Chapter 11 - The Countdown
Mara touched my arm. “Give us one hour,” she said. “Anger won't protect the assets.”
Adrian assembled an affidavit from my records. Richard sent a sworn statement describing the ownership claims Daniel and Vanessa had made. June's attorney arranged to preserve her phone and discuss cooperation with investigators. The bank finally replied: it would hold the proposed funding pending a review, but the hold could be lifted if new documentation satisfied its counsel.
“That's not enough,” Adrian said. “We need a court order.”
He prepared an emergency motion to stop any unauthorized transfer or pledge while the ownership dispute was heard. A hearing was requested for Thursday morning, barely two hours before the scheduled closing.
At five, Daniel appeared outside Mara's office. Through the window I saw him pacing beside his car.
Mara met him in the hallway. “You can speak with Ellie in my presence. No documents, no pressure, and no pretending this is a misunderstanding.”
Daniel entered with red eyes. “Vanessa said the paperwork was temporary. We needed the deal to pay off our short-term debt.”
“How much debt?” I asked.
He said nothing.
“How much, Daniel?”
“Just over two million. Some of it was used to cover personal expenses.”
I gripped the chair. “You spent money the company never earned?”
“Vanessa said we'd replace it after Richard invested.”
“You signed the distribution order.”
“Yes.” His voice broke. “I thought I could fix it before you found out.”
May you like
Outside, Vanessa's SUV rolled slowly past the office. Daniel saw it and went rigid.
“Mom,” he whispered, “she has a copy of your old medical power of attorney. She says if you fight us, she'll use it.”
