Chapter 6 - Vivian’s Company
Vivian Pierce had spent three years telling everyone she owned a successful luxury event business.
I had never asked to see the numbers.
Why would I?
She paid for expensive dinners. She flew first class. She wore jewelry that looked like it belonged behind glass.
Marcus told us the company was nearly bankrupt.
“Two years of losses,” he said. “Multiple tax liens. Three vendors suing for nonpayment.”
Vivian’s face tightened. “You have no right to discuss my business publicly.”
“You involved my son’s assets,” Dad said.
“I did nothing.”
Marcus held up a transfer record. “Eight hundred thousand dollars entered your operating account thirty-six hours after the loan closed.”
Lauren stepped in front of her mother. “I handled that. She didn’t know where the money came from.”
That surprised everyone.
Even Vivian.
“Lauren,” she said sharply.
Lauren didn’t look at her.
I asked, “You stole eight hundred thousand dollars for your mother?”
“I borrowed it.”
“Using my name.”
“I was going to repay it.”
“With what?”
She opened her mouth, then stopped.
I could hear guests whispering now. Someone’s chair scraped. One of the bridesmaids began crying quietly.
Mom called my name.
I turned.
She held out her hand.
I went to her.
“Sit down,” she said.
“I’m okay.”
“No, you’re not.”
Neither was she.
I crouched beside her chair.
“I should’ve listened to you.”
Mom’s eyes filled. “I tried to tell you without making you choose between us.”
“You should have made me choose.”
She shook her head. “A mother shouldn’t have to win against the woman her son loves.”
Behind us, Dad said, “There’s more.”
I closed my eyes.
Of course there was.
When I stood, Lauren was staring at him like she wanted to stop time.
Dad looked at Marcus.
Marcus said, “The eight hundred thousand wasn’t the first transfer.”
I felt something inside me go still.
“How many were there?”
Marcus answered softly.
A waiter quietly began clearing champagne glasses from the edge of the lawn. The absurd normality of it made me angry. Somewhere, a caterer was still worrying about whether dinner would be served on time while I learned my name had been used to borrow nearly a million dollars.
I turned to Lauren. "Did you ever plan to tell me?"
"I planned to fix it before you had to know."
"That is not an answer."
"Yes, it is."
"No. That is what people say when they think hiding the damage counts as repairing it."
Her eyes flashed. "You have never had to fix anything alone. Your father has lawyers. Your mother has connections. You have money waiting for you in trusts you forget exist."
"So stealing from me was fairness?"
She looked away.
May you like
That silence did more than any confession could have.
“Eleven.”
