Chapter 5 - THE SIGNATURE
It looked perfect.
Hannah zoomed in.
"Electronic certificate."
"Mine?"
"Apparently."
"I didn't sign it."
His CFO, Martin Vale, arrived at the mansion looking like a man walking into his own funeral.
Alexander placed the loan agreement on the table.
"Explain."
"The board approved a temporary facility."
"I am the board chair."
"You were traveling."
"So?"
"Your father left delegated authority."
"My father has been dead four years."
"The authority remained active."
"Who used it?"
Martin's silence answered.
Hannah said, "Charles Ashford?"
The facility was secured against Sterling Holdings shares.
If the merger failed before closing, Ashford Capital could demand accelerated repayment.
If Sterling defaulted, Ashford gained voting control over pledged shares.
Alexander felt the trap close.
Veronica did not merely need the wedding for Sofia's twenty-eight percent.
Her family had positioned itself to take the company either way.
"Who helped them?" Alexander asked.
"Your father started the negotiations."
Of course.
Victor Sterling was still controlling rooms from the grave.
"I found it."
"Where?"
"In the laundry chute."
Veronica had tried to hide it before leaving.
Inside were Lucia's letters.
Photographs.
Hospital records.
And a sealed audio recorder.
Alexander pressed play.
Lucia's voice filled the study.
"If Alexander hears this, then Victor failed."
Lucia continued.
"Sofia was never supposed to be hidden forever. I was waiting until Victor could no longer hurt us."
Then another voice appeared.
Victor Sterling.
"Take the settlement and disappear."
Lucia replied, "No."
Victor said, "Then I'll make sure my son believes the baby died."
The recording continued.
Lucia: "Veronica's family knows, doesn't it?"
Victor: "They know what they need to know."
A chair scraped.
Then Victor said something quieter.
"The Ashfords will protect the company after I'm gone."
Lucia answered, "From whom?"
May you like
Victor laughed.
"From Alexander."
