Chapter 14 - The Second Event

The second event was a private dinner for prospective investors in Washington, D.C., booked under a promotional arrangement involving Bell & Mercer's name. The venue had received a deposit from a Harborline account, but Grant's materials described me as the contact for financial verification.

I hadn't heard of it. Neither had Martin.

By Thursday, the firm's counsel had warned the venue and the recipients of the false sponsorship materials. My colleagues were no longer whispering when I walked past. The compliance manager told me the internal review had found no evidence that I'd approved or participated in Grant's representations. I returned to normal duties, exhausted but grateful.

My personal lawyer, a civil attorney named Sarah Kim, met with me that afternoon. She explained the possible claims, the cost of pursuing them, and the evidence still missing. She did not promise that a forged document automatically meant a dramatic courtroom victory.

“Your immediate goal,” Sarah said, “is protecting your finances and reputation. Don't turn a strong paper trail into a public fight you can't control.”

I nodded. I'd imagined telling my story to every guest who'd watched Vanessa point at me on the dock. But Sarah was right. Public applause wouldn't refund my deposit.

The refund from the marina had reached my credit card: twelve thousand five hundred dollars. The seven-thousand-five-hundred-dollar cancellation loss remained. It hurt every time I saw it.

That evening Mom called. “Your sister hasn't eaten much. Can't you call and tell her you forgive her?”

“I can't forgive what she hasn't fully acknowledged.”

“She loves you.”

“Then she can say it without asking me to solve something.”

Mom sighed. “You sound cold.”

“I sound tired.”

An hour later, Vanessa appeared at my apartment door holding a manila envelope. She looked frightened but determined.

“I know you don't trust me,” she said. “I wouldn't either.”

She handed me the envelope. Inside were printed messages between her and Grant, including one from the night before the cruise.

REMOVE EVELYN, he'd written. SHE'LL ASK ABOUT THE MONEY IN FRONT OF THE INVESTORS.

Under that, Vanessa had replied: She's my sister. That's cruel.

May you like

My Mother Grabbed My Wife by the Hair Over Cold Soup—But What My Father...

My mother grabbed my wife by the hair over a bowl of cold soup. And the most shameful part? For one terrible second, I almost defe...

My Parents Kicked My 6-Year-Old Daughter and Me Out on Christmas—Then I...

My mother kicked my six-year-old daughter out of Christmas dinner, never realizing I was the only reason she still had a house to...

The Bride Threw His 80-Year-Old Mother’s Jacket on the Floor at Their We...

She threw his 80-year-old mother’s jacket on the floor… and smiled like she had just won.In front of two hundred wedding guests, t...

Grant's answer was three words.

THEN CHOOSE ME.