Chapter 9 - My Name on Their LieThe signature was a good imitation. A curved E, an open loop on the last letter. Whoever copied it had studied my hand.

"The document says you granted power of attorney last February," Naomi explained. "That's false, correct?"

"I was in Seattle last February, buying a hospital software company. I never signed this."

"Then we'll seek an emergency order and notify the buyer, registrar, and investigators."

She brought in a forensic document examiner. Within hours, the examiner identified inconsistent letter pressure and spacing. Not proof of the forger's identity, but enough to support an immediate challenge.

A hospital nurse knocked softly. Mia wanted strawberry yogurt. I ordered it, then stepped into the hallway so she wouldn't hear the rest.

"My parents forged my name to sell land that was supposed to be mine," I said. "Why didn't I see it?"

"Because your grandfather's estate was deliberately obscured," Naomi replied. "That's what we're documenting."

A news alert appeared on my phone: BILLIONAIRE HOSTESS DETains WEDDING GUESTS AFTER FAMILY DISPUTE.

My mother had gone public. The article featured her tearful photograph and Sarah in a stained wedding gown. It suggested my daughter's injuries were exaggerated. Nowhere did it mention the available security footage or hospital treatment.

"Can we sue?" I asked.

"We can correct the record. Let's not let their headlines distract from Mia's care and the evidence."

We issued a brief factual statement confirming an injured minor had received emergency care and authorities were investigating. No names, no footage of Mia, no dramatic details for strangers to consume.

At dinner, Mia picked at her mashed potatoes. "Do people on the internet hate me?"

I felt an old familiar anger, the kind my mother used to turn into shame. This time I didn't.

"Some people repeat things they haven't checked," I said. "The adults are going to handle that. You don't have to read any of it."

She watched me. "Can we still have birthdays without Grandma?"

"Absolutely. And you get to choose the cake."

She smiled a little.

Then Naomi called again. "The bank has frozen the transaction pending verification. But Elena, your father didn't forge this alone. The document includes a witness signature."

May you like

Billionaire’s Wife Kicked a Waitress in Front of 300 Elites—One Slap Exp...

The billionaire’s wife tried to kick a waitress in the face in front of 300 wealthy guests. But seconds later, she whispered three...

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...

"Whose?"

"Sarah's."