Chapter 8: The Woman My## Chapter 8: The Woman My Mother Paid to Mother Paid to Silence
My Silence
My mother rejected the call.
A mother rejected the call.
A second later, her phone rang again.
She stared at the screen, her thumb second later, her phone rang again.
She stared at the screen, her thumb hovering over the green button, while Marcus watched her with the expression of someone waiting hovering over the green button, while Marcus watched her with the expression of someone waiting for a bomb to explode.
"Who is it?"" I asked.
"Nobody for a bomb to explode.
"Who is it?"" I asked.
"Nobody you need to concern yourself with.""
"Then answer it.""
"Don't tell you need to concern yourself with.""
"Then answer it.""
"Don't tell me what to do.""
The phone stopped ringing.
A message appeared.
My mother read it me what to do.""
The phone stopped ringing.
A message appeared.
My mother read it, and the hand holding the device began to tremble.
I, and the hand holding the device began to tremble.
I stepped closer.
"What does it say?""
She turned the screen away.
But stepped closer.
"What does it say?""
She turned the screen away.
But not before I caught three words.
**You promised not before I caught three words.
*You promised payment.*
My mother locked the phone.
"Everyone needs payment.**
My mother locked the phone.
"Everyone needs to calm down," she announced, forcing a smile toward to calm down," she announced, forcing a smile toward the guests.
"There has been a misunderstanding, and we will resolve it the guests.
"There has been a misunderstanding, and we will resolve it privately.""
Aunt Patricia stood.
"Evelyn, I think the guests privately.""
Aunt Patricia stood.
"Evelyn, I think the guests have heard enough to know this isn't a simple misunderstanding.""
My mother rounded have heard enough to know this isn't a simple misunderstanding.""
My mother rounded on her.
"Nobody asked for your opinion.""
"No, but you invited me to watch on her.
"Nobody asked for your opinion.""
"No, but you invited me to watch you celebrate your birthday. I didn't expect to watch you try to take your daughter's you celebrate your birthday. I didn't expect to watch you try to take your daughter's company.""
A few guests nodded.
My mother lifted her chin.
"I am trying to save my family.""
Patricia's expression company.""
A few guests nodded.
My mother lifted her chin.
"I am trying to save my family.""
Patricia's expression softened, but only slightly.
"Then start by telling softened, but only slightly.
"Then start by telling the truth.""
My mother said nothing.
I watched her carefully.
For years, she'd controlled family disagreements the truth.""
My mother said nothing.
I watched her carefully.
For years, she'd controlled family disagreements by making herself the most offended person in the room. If someone challenged her, she'd talk by making herself the most offended person in the room. If someone challenged her, she'd talk about sacrifice. If that failed, she'd cry.
And if neither worked about sacrifice. If that failed, she'd cry. And if neither worked, she'd threaten to withdraw her affection until the other person apologized, she'd threaten to withdraw her affection until the other person apologized.
It had always worked on me.
Tonight, I could see the mechanism.
It had always worked on me.
Tonight, I could see the mechanism clearly.
She wasn't waiting for someone to understand her.
She was waiting for someone to rescue clearly.
She wasn't waiting for someone to understand her.
She was waiting for someone to rescue her.
I held out my hand.
"Show me the message.""
She laughed bitterly.
"You her.
I held out my hand.
"Show me the message.""
She laughed bitterly.
"You have no right to inspect my phone.""
"Fine. Then tell me who you promised have no right to inspect my phone.""
"Fine. Then tell me who you promised to pay.""
Her eyes narrowed.
"That is none of your business.""
"Someone has to pay.""
Her eyes narrowed.
"That is none of your business.""
"Someone has used my company's name to obtain financing. Someone has submitted documents with my signature. Someone used my company's name to obtain financing.
Someone has submitted documents with my signature. Someone is threatening my business over a debt I never agreed to incur.""
is threatening my business over a debt I never agreed to incur.""
I paused.
"At this point, Mom, everyone involved isI paused.
"At this point, Mom, everyone involved is my business.""
She looked around the room.
The guests who had once rushed my business.""
She looked around the room.
The guests who had once rushed to agree with her were now avoiding her eyes.
Even Claire had moved away from the podium to agree with her were now avoiding her eyes.
Even Claire had moved away from the podium.
My mother lowered her voice.
"You don't know what you're doing.
My mother lowered her voice.
"You don't know what you're doing.""
"Then help me understand.""
She shook her head.
"You.""
"Then help me understand.""
She shook her head.
"You'll only use everything I tell you against me.""
"I won't need to'll only use everything I tell you against me.""
"I won't need to use the truth against you. The truth will speak for itself.""
Her face twisted.
use the truth against you. The truth will speak for itself.""
Her face twisted.
"You sound just like your father.""
The words struck"You sound just like your father.""
The words struck an old nerve.
My father had left when I was seventeen an old nerve.
My father had left when I was seventeen. My mother rarely discussed him without attaching some accusation to his name.. My mother rarely discussed him without attaching some accusation to his name. Whenever I questioned her, she said Whenever I questioned her, she said I had inherited his stubbornness, his selfishness, or his inability to appreciate I had inherited his stubbornness, his selfishness, or his inability to appreciate what other people did for him.
For years, I'd hated hearing those comparisons what other people did for him.
For years, I'd hated hearing those comparisons.
Tonight, I found myself wondering whether she'd used them to make me afraid.
Tonight, I found myself wondering whether she'd used them to make me afraid of becoming someone she couldn't control.
I took a breath.
"Maybe of becoming someone she couldn't control.
I took a breath.
"Maybe that's not the insult you think it is.""
She stared at me.
Then that's not the insult you think it is.""
She stared at me.
Then her phone rang for the third time.
This time, she answered.
"What?"" her phone rang for the third time.
This time, she answered.
"What?"" she snapped.
A woman's voice came through the speaker, loud enough for me to hear several she snapped.
A woman's voice came through the speaker, loud enough for me to hear several words.
"Evelyn, don't hang up on me again.""
My mother turned away.
"I words.
"Evelyn, don't hang up on me again.""
My mother turned away.
"I told you I would handle it.""
"When?""
"Soon.""
"You told you I would handle it.""
"When?""
"Soon.""
"You said that last week.""
"I need more time.""
"You've had months said that last week.""
"I need more time.""
"You've had months.""
My mother pressed the phone tightly against her ear.
"Not.""
My mother pressed the phone tightly against her ear.
"Not here.""
The woman laughed without humor.
"You should have thought about that before using here.""
The woman laughed without humor.
"You should have thought about that before using my name in your little arrangement.""
My mother went completely still.
I stepped my name in your little arrangement.""
My mother went completely still.
I stepped closer.
"Who is this?""
My mother covered the microphone.
"Go closer.
"Who is this?""
My mother covered the microphone.
"Go away, Nia.""
I reached for the phone.
She pulled it back.
The woman on away, Nia.""
I reached for the phone.
She pulled it back.
The woman on the other end spoke again.
"Is that Nia? Good the other end spoke again.
"Is that Nia? Good. Put her on the phone.""
My mother looked as though she'd been slapped. Put her on the phone.""
My mother looked as though she'd been slapped.
"She has nothing to do with this.""
"Really? Because.
"She has nothing to do with this.""
"Really? Because her name is all over the paperwork you gave me.""
My heart lurched.
"Who her name is all over the paperwork you gave me.""
My heart lurched.
"Who are you?"" I asked.
There was a pause.
Then the woman answered.
"Victoria Shaw are you?"" I asked.
There was a pause.
Then the woman answered.
"Victoria Shaw.""
The name meant nothing to me at first.
Then I remembered a photograph Danielle had.""
The name meant nothing to me at first.
Then I remembered a photograph Danielle had shown me earlier that year. My mother had attended a charity luncheon with a woman who owned several shown me earlier that year. My mother had attended a charity luncheon with a woman who owned several property-management businesses around Atlanta.
Victoria Shaw had been described as a private property-management businesses around Atlanta.
Victoria Shaw had been described as a private investor with connections to commercial real estate and distressed-property acquisitions.
I had never met her.
But investor with connections to commercial real estate and distressed-property acquisitions.
I had never met her.
But I recognized her name from an article about investors purchasing buildings I recognized her name from an article about investors purchasing buildings after their owners encountered financial trouble.
"What do you want from my mother?"" I asked.
"What she after their owners encountered financial trouble.
"What do you want from my mother?"" I asked.
"What she promised to deliver.""
"Which is?""
"Control of a property that promised to deliver.""
"Which is?""
"Control of a property that was supposed to secure the money I advanced.""
I looked was supposed to secure the money I advanced.""
I looked at my mother.
She was staring at the floor.
Victoria continued.
" at my mother.
She was staring at the floor.
Victoria continued.
"Your mother told me the family trust had authority to transfer the business interests and that the property transactionYour mother told me the family trust had authority to transfer the business interests and that the property transaction was already approved. I relied on the documentation her representatives supplied.""
"Did you personally was already approved. I relied on the documentation her representatives supplied.""
"Did you personally advance the money?""
"Part of it.""
"How much?""
"That advance the money?""
"Part of it.""
"How much?""
"That is a question for my lawyers.""
"Then why are you calling my mother?""
" is a question for my lawyers.""
"Then why are you calling my mother?""
"Because your mother is the person who approached me.""
I glanced atBecause your mother is the person who approached me.""
I glanced at Daniel.
He was listening intently.
"Victoria," he said, leaning toward the phone, "this is Daniel Whitmore. I want Daniel.
He was listening intently.
"Victoria," he said, leaning toward the phone, "this is Daniel Whitmore. I want to make one thing absolutely clear. I never accepted to make one thing absolutely clear. I never accepted the trusteeship described in the documents, and I never authorized the use of my name the trusteeship described in the documents, and I never authorized the use of my name.""
Victoria fell silent.
Then she said, "I was wondering when you would appear.""
Daniel frowned.
"What.""
Victoria fell silent.
Then she said, "I was wondering when you would appear.""
Daniel frowned.
"What does that mean?""
"It means Evelyn assured me you were involved.""
My mother made does that mean?""
"It means Evelyn assured me you were involved.""
My mother made a small, desperate sound.
"Victoria, please.""
The woman ignored her.
"She told me you had reviewed the arrangement a small, desperate sound.
"Victoria, please.""
The woman ignored her.
"She told me you had reviewed the arrangement and approved the structure. She said you were waiting for the final paperwork.""
Daniel's expression hardened.
"That is false.""
"Then and approved the structure. She said you were waiting for the final paperwork.""
Daniel's expression hardened.
"That is false.""
"Then I suggest you speak to your lawyers.""
"I intend to.""
Victoria exhaled sharply.
"Look I suggest you speak to your lawyers.""
"I intend to.""
Victoria exhaled sharply.
"Look, I didn't call to discuss everyone's feelings. I called because, I didn't call to discuss everyone's feelings. I called because a payment deadline is approaching, and Evelyn has been a payment deadline is approaching, and Evelyn has been telling me that the transfer will be completed.""
I felt cold telling me that the transfer will be completed.""
I felt cold all over.
"What transfer?""
"The transfer of the Carter office property into all over.
"What transfer?""
"The transfer of the Carter office property into the proposed financing structure.""
"That property is not owned by my mother.""
"I the proposed financing structure.""
"That property is not owned by my mother.""
"I understand that now.""
"Who told you she had understand that now.""
"Who told you she had authority over it?""
"Your mother. And the documents she supplied.""
I looked at my mother authority over it?""
"Your mother. And the documents she supplied.""
I looked at my mother.
"Did you tell Victoria that you owned my office building?""
"I never said I owned it.
"Did you tell Victoria that you owned my office building?""
"I never said I owned it.""
Victoria gave a short laugh through.""
Victoria gave a short laugh through the phone.
"You told me the family trust would control the relevant interests. You supplied a the phone.
"You told me the family trust would control the relevant interests. You supplied a property schedule and a certificate of authority.""
"I said the arrangement was being property schedule and a certificate of authority.""
"I said the arrangement was being finalized.""
"You said the documents were signed.""
My mother looked around finalized.""
"You said the documents were signed.""
My mother looked around desperately.
"Please stop discussing this here.""
Victoria's desperately.
"Please stop discussing this here.""
Victoria's voice sharpened.
"No. You don't get to ask for privacy after using voice sharpened.
"No. You don't get to ask for privacy after using my money to finance a transaction you couldn't deliver.""
I turned toward Daniel.
"Can my money to finance a transaction you couldn't deliver.""
I turned toward Daniel.
"Can we get a copy of the property schedule?""
He nodded.
"Victoria we get a copy of the property schedule?""
He nodded.
"Victoria, would you be willing to provide the documents to our attorneys?""
"Yes. I have no, would you be willing to provide the documents to our attorneys?""
"Yes. I have no interest in being associated with a disputed transaction. But I won't simply absorb interest in being associated with a disputed transaction. But I won't simply absorb the loss because Evelyn has made promises she cannot fulfill.""
"That's reasonable," I the loss because Evelyn has made promises she cannot fulfill.""
"That's reasonable," I said.
"My attorney will contact you.""
Victoria paused.
Then her voice softened slightly.
"N said.
"My attorney will contact you.""
Victoria paused.
Then her voice softened slightly.
"Nia, I need you to understand something. I did not know the documents were disputed when I advanced the money. If youria, I need you to understand something.
I did not know the documents were disputed when I advanced the money. If your signature was forged, that changes the situation significantly.""
" signature was forged, that changes the situation significantly.""
"How much money did you advance?""
She hesitated.
"Three hundredHow much money did you advance?""
She hesitated.
"Three hundred and twenty thousand dollars in total, through separate and twenty thousand dollars in total, through separate transfers.""
I stared at my mother.
Three hundred and twenty thousand dollars.
Marcus transfers.""
I stared at my mother.
Three hundred and twenty thousand dollars.
Marcus had admitted receiving two hundred and ten thousand.
The rest had gone somewhere else.
"Who received the other money had admitted receiving two hundred and ten thousand.
The rest had gone somewhere else.
"Who received the other money?"" I asked.
Victoria answered carefully.
"Some went to accounts?"" I asked.
Victoria answered carefully.
"Some went to accounts identified as trust-related expenses. Some went to a company described identified as trust-related expenses. Some went to a company described as a property-services intermediary.""
"What company?""
"Shawcrest Property Solutions.""
I looked at Daniel as a property-services intermediary.""
"What company?""
"Shawcrest Property Solutions.""
I looked at Daniel.
He shook his head.
"I've never heard of it.""
Victoria continued.
"I don't know whether that company.
He shook his head.
"I've never heard of it.""
Victoria continued.
"I don't know whether that company was legitimate. I was given invoices and payment instructions. I assumed the arrangement was properly authorized was legitimate.
I was given invoices and payment instructions. I assumed the arrangement was properly authorized.""
My mother suddenly grabbed the phone.
"That's enough, Victoria!""
The woman laughed bitterly.
"You should.""
My mother suddenly grabbed the phone.
"That's enough, Victoria!""
The woman laughed bitterly.
"You should have thought about that before you used my company to move the money.""
She ended the call.
My mother lowered have thought about that before you used my company to move the money.""
She ended the call.
My mother lowered the phone.
For several seconds, no one spoke.
Then I turned toward her the phone.
For several seconds, no one spoke.
Then I turned toward her.
"Who owns Shawcrest Property Solutions?""
She looked at me.
"I don't know.""
"Don't.
"Who owns Shawcrest Property Solutions?""
She looked at me.
"I don't know.""
"Don't lie to me.""
"I'm not lying.""
"Three hundred and twenty thousand dollars went through an arrangement lie to me.""
"I'm not lying.""
"Three hundred and twenty thousand dollars went through an arrangement involving your trust, my company, and a property intermediary. You expect me to believe you involving your trust, my company, and a property intermediary. You expect me to believe you don't know who received the money?""
Her face crumpled.
"I was trying to help Marcus.""
Marcus stepped forward.
"Mom don't know who received the money?""
Her face crumpled.
"I was trying to help Marcus.""
Marcus stepped forward.
"Mom, stop saying that.""
She turned toward him.
"You would have lost everything!""
"Then, stop saying that.""
She turned toward him.
"You would have lost everything!""
"Then I should have lost it honestly.""
The words stunned her.
Marcus wiped his eyes.
"You I should have lost it honestly.""
The words stunned her.
Marcus wiped his eyes.
"You told me the money came from a private financing arrangement. You said Nia had agreed to the trust. You said told me the money came from a private financing arrangement.
You said Nia had agreed to the trust. You said Daniel had approved it.""
"I was trying to protect you.""
"You told me not to ask questions.""
"I was Daniel had approved it.""
"I was trying to protect you.""
"You told me not to ask questions.""
"I was afraid!""
The confession echoed through the ballroom.
My mother covered her mouth.
For the first time, I saw something other than anger or afraid!""
The confession echoed through the ballroom.
My mother covered her mouth.
For the first time, I saw something other than anger or manipulation in her expression.
Fear.
Real fear.
But fear manipulation in her expression.
Fear.
Real fear.
But fear didn't erase what she'd done.
I looked at Daniel.
"Can you find out who owns Shawcrest?""
"I can ask my didn't erase what she'd done.
I looked at Daniel.
"Can you find out who owns Shawcrest?""
"I can ask my office to examine the publicly available corporate records and pass the findings to your attorney.""
He took out his phone.
A office to examine the publicly available corporate records and pass the findings to your attorney.""
He took out his phone.
A few minutes later, Rachel called me back.
"Nia, I've received your photographs and spoken briefly few minutes later, Rachel called me back.
"Nia, I've received your photographs and spoken briefly with Daniel. We need to preserve all the evidence and notify the relevant financial institutions that with Daniel. We need to preserve all the evidence and notify the relevant financial institutions that the authorization is disputed.""
"Victoria Shaw says three hundred and twenty thousand dollars was advanced.""
Rachel the authorization is disputed.""
"Victoria Shaw says three hundred and twenty thousand dollars was advanced.""
Rachel paused.
"That is significant.""
"Some went to Marcus. The paused.
"That is significant.""
"Some went to Marcus. The rest went through a company called Shawcrest Property Solutions.""
"Send me the name and whatever information you have. I'll coordinate with counsel.""
rest went through a company called Shawcrest Property Solutions.""
"Send me the name and whatever information you have. I'll coordinate with counsel.""
I glanced at my mother.
She was sitting alone at the head table,I glanced at my mother.
She was sitting alone at the head table, staring at the untouched birthday cake.
"Rachel, there's something else. Victoria says Mom represented staring at the untouched birthday cake.
"Rachel, there's something else. Victoria says Mom represented that she had authority over my office property.""
"Does she have any ownership interest in that she had authority over my office property.""
"Does she have any ownership interest in that property?""
"No.""
"Then we need to establish exactly what was represented, who relied on it, and whether any filing has that property?""
"No.""
"Then we need to establish exactly what was represented, who relied on it, and whether any filing has been made against the property. I'll arrange for an urgent title been made against the property. I'll arrange for an urgent title review.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"Could someone actually take the review.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"Could someone actually take the building?""
"Not merely because they claim they can. The legal building?""
"Not merely because they claim they can. The legal effect depends on the documents, the property's ownership structure, and any properly recorded interests. We effect depends on the documents, the property's ownership structure, and any properly recorded interests. We need to verify the records immediately.""
I nodded, though she need to verify the records immediately.""
I nodded, though she couldn't see me.
"Please do.""
When I ended the call, Danielle appeared beside me.
She had been speaking couldn't see me.
"Please do.""
When I ended the call, Danielle appeared beside me.
She had been speaking with Aunt Patricia near the entrance.
"Nia," she said quietly, with Aunt Patricia near the entrance.
"Nia," she said quietly, "I found something.""
She held out her phone.
It was a screenshot of a public business "I found something.""
She held out her phone.
It was a screenshot of a public business registry entry.
The company name read:
*Shawcrest Property Solutions LLC.*
The registered manager registry entry.
The company name read:
*Shawcrest Property Solutions LLC.*
The registered manager was listed beneath it.
I read the name.
Then I read it was listed beneath it.
I read the name.
Then I read it again.
It belonged to someone I knew.
Someone who had attended my mother's birthday dinner.
Someone who had again.
It belonged to someone I knew.
Someone who had attended my mother's birthday dinner.
Someone who had smiled at me earlier that evening and congratulated me on my business success.
I looked across the smiled at me earlier that evening and congratulated me on my business success.
I looked across the ballroom.
The person was no longer seated at table seven.
Their chair was empty.
And when ballroom.
The person was no longer seated at table seven.
Their chair was empty.
And when I asked Danielle where they'd gone, she pointed toward the restaurant's rear entrance.
"They left about five minutes ago," she whispered I asked Danielle where they'd gone, she pointed toward the restaurant's rear entrance.
"They left about five minutes ago," she whispered.
"Right after Victoria called.""
My pulse quickened.
"Did you see them leave with anything?""
Danielle nodded.
"Right after Victoria called.""
My pulse quickened.
"Did you see them leave with anything?""
Danielle nodded.
"A black folder.""
I looked at the registry entry one more time.
The.
"A black folder.""
I looked at the registry entry one more time.
The registered manager of Shawcrest Property Solutions was none other than Claire Carter.
My younger sister.
The sister registered manager of Shawcrest Property Solutions was none other than Claire Carter.
My younger sister.
The sister who had laughed while our mother dragged my chair away.
The sister who had insisted that the family needed to take control of who had laughed while our mother dragged my chair away.
The sister who had insisted that the family needed to take control of my company.
The sister who had told me, with complete confidence, that I my company.
The sister who had told me, with complete confidence, that I couldn't be allowed to control everything anymore.
I turned toward her couldn't be allowed to control everything anymore.
I turned toward her.
She stood beside the ballroom doors, watching me.
When our eyes met, she.
She stood beside the ballroom doors, watching me.
When our eyes met, she didn't look surprised.
She looked caught.
"Claire," I said.
She took one step backward.
I held up the didn't look surprised.
She looked caught.
"Claire," I said.
She took one step backward.
I held up the phone.
"Why is your name on the company that received the money?""
Her lips parted.
Then she turned phone.
"Why is your name on the company that received the money?""
Her lips parted.
May you like
Then she turned and ran.
and ran.
