Chapter 9 - Nathan’s Debt
They returned to the main house with Elliot between two guards and Gloria confined to a guest room until police arrived.
Valentina took Nathan into the library.
“Talk.”
He stood by the fireplace, staring at the floor.
“Two years ago, Caldwell Development was going under.”
Valentina knew his family company had struggled. She did not know how badly.
“How much?”
“Eleven million.”
“And you hid it.”
“I thought I could fix it.”
“How?”
Nathan swallowed.
“I borrowed against my future distributions.”
“You don’t have future distributions.”
“I know that now.”
Valentina felt sick.
“Did you borrow against Blackthorn?”
“No.”
“Elliot?”
“No.”
“Then why did Gloria say eight million?”
Nathan rubbed his forehead.
“Because Mom covered part of the company debt through Caldwell Heritage.”
“The company she created three months ago?”
“She created this shell recently. The money started somewhere else.”
“Where?”
Nathan looked at her.
“Your father’s foundation.”
Valentina stared.
“That’s impossible.”
“I found out last month. Mom had been moving money through vendors for years.”
“And you didn’t tell me?”
“I was gathering proof.”
“You signed her documents.”
“I was trying to keep her calm until I had enough.”
Valentina wanted to believe him. That was the worst part.
A knock interrupted them.
Rachel entered carrying a laptop and a paper file.
“I found the guardianship petition.”
She placed it on the table.
The supporting statement claimed Elliot had witnessed Valentina becoming violent and unstable.
There was a witness affidavit attached.
Signed by Nathan Caldwell.
Valentina looked up.
Nathan whispered, “I never signed that.”
May you like
Rachel answered quietly.
“Then someone has been practicing your signature too.”
