Chapter 2 - The Folder
Valentina did not shout. That frightened Nathan more than shouting would have.
“Marco,” she said.
One of her security men stepped away from the wall.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Bring me the venue folder from the office safe.”
Nathan reached for her arm. “Val, don’t do this in front of everybody.”
She looked at his hand until he removed it.
“You mean don’t find out what you did in front of everybody.”
Gloria laughed too quickly. “This is ridiculous. The child is confused.”
Elliot looked up. “I’m not confused.”
Marco returned carrying a thick cream folder stamped BLACKTHORN ESTATE - ORIGINAL RECORDS.
Valentina opened it at the nearest table.
The first document was the deed bearing her late father’s signature. The property had passed entirely to her seven years earlier.
She held it up.
“My name.”
Nathan swallowed.
Then a second set of papers slid out and fluttered to the floor.
Marco bent to retrieve them.
His expression hardened.
“Mrs. Reyes… you should see this.”
It was a transfer agreement. Fifty percent ownership of Blackthorn Estate to Serena Caldwell as a “wedding gift.”
Valentina’s signature appeared at the bottom.
She had never signed it.
Below it was Gloria’s signature as witness.
The closing date was tomorrow morning at nine.
The ballroom went quiet enough for Valentina to hear the champagne fountain bubbling.
Nathan’s face drained of color.
“You let your mother slap my son,” Valentina said, “at a wedding you were using to steal his mother’s property.”
“Valentina, I can explain.”
She held up the forged document.
“No. You can start by telling me who forged my signature.”
May you like
Gloria’s eyes flicked toward Nathan.
That tiny glance answered too much.
