Chapter 10 - The Signature That Wasn't Mine
My name appeared in blue ink at the bottom of the proxy.
Savannah Reed Carter.
The curve of the S was nearly perfect. The final stroke of Carter lifted exactly the way mine did.
Nearly.
"That's not my signature," I said.
Roman's lawyer spoke for the first time. "Mrs. Carter, given your condition, perhaps you don't recall-"
"Don't finish that sentence."
I held the paper closer to the camera.
"I stopped signing Savannah Reed Carter two years ago. My legal signature is Savannah R. Carter. Every bank document, trust amendment, and medical form reflects that change."
Miriam smiled without warmth.
"We have comparison samples."
The chairman turned to Roman. "Where did this proxy come from?"
Roman's expression did not move.
"My office received it from Savannah's household files."
"Which office?" Miriam asked.
"Legal operations."
"Who submitted it?"
Roman looked at Claire's empty square on the video grid.
She had refused to join the call.
"My staff can determine that."
Miriam clicked a key.
"We already did. The document metadata shows it was created on Mr. Carter's personal laptop three nights ago."
Silence.
Roman's face finally shifted.
Not much. A tightening near the eyes.
The board chair removed his glasses.
"Roman?"
"This is a misunderstanding caused by incomplete files."
"Then vote on Northstar without me," I said.
"Savannah-"
"You said my shares didn't matter unless I was emotional. Let's test that."
Miriam raised one hand. "For the record, Mrs. Carter revokes any and all prior proxy authority, disputed or otherwise, effective immediately."
The chairman nodded.
"Northstar cannot proceed today."
Roman leaned back.
For years, Roman controlled rooms by becoming quieter. This time nobody moved.
My contraction monitor spiked.
Dr. Ruiz looked at the screen and then at me.
"We're done with business for now."
Roman heard her.
"Savannah, is the baby coming?"
I looked at him.
For half a second I saw the husband I had once loved, not the man who had tracked my car and forged my name.
That was the most dangerous moment of the morning.
Then Miriam's email chimed.
She read the message and went pale.
"What is it?" I asked.
She turned the screen toward me.
May you like
A lender had just called every Carter Meridian loan due for review.
And the collateral listed on three of them was property that belonged to my trust.
