Chapter 6: The Signature That Changed Everything
I read Kendra's name three times before I could accept what I was seeing.
The agreement was six pages long. Vanessa'sendra's name three times before I could accept what I was seeing.
The agreement was six pages long. Vanessa's signature appeared at the bottom of the final page, alongside a handwritten date. Kendra's name appeared on the first page as the proposed beneficiary of a private educational signature appeared at the bottom of the final page, alongside a handwritten date. Kendra's name appeared on the first page as the proposed beneficiary of a private educational fund.
But it was the paragraph beneath her name that made my hands go fund.
But it was the paragraph beneath her name that made my hands go cold.
*The beneficiary acknowledges that any financial assistance offered under this agreement is conditional upon the withdrawal of the competing scholarship recipient's award and the resolution of any cold.
The beneficiary acknowledges that any financial assistance offered under this agreement is conditional upon the withdrawal of the competing scholarship recipient's award and the resolution of any related university inquiries.
I looked up.
Kendra stood beside the dining room doorway, her face pale.
“Dad, I don't know what that means.””
Vanessa moved toward me.
“ related university inquiries.*
I looked up.
Kendra stood beside the dining room doorway, her face pale.
“Dad, I don't know what that means.””
Vanessa moved toward me.
“Give me the papers.””
I held them away from her.
“No.””
“Daniel, you don't understand the agreement.””
“Then explain it.””
“It'sGive me the papers.””
I held them away from her.
“No.””
“Daniel, you don't understand the agreement.””
“Then explain it.””
“It's complicated.””
“Start with the part where Kendra's education funding depends on Zoria losing her scholarship.””
Kendra took a step backward.
complicated.””
“Start with the part where Kendra's education funding depends on Zoria losing her scholarship.””
Kendra took a step backward.
“No,” she whispered.
“That can't be right.””
Vanessa turned toward her.
“Sweetheart, listen to me. I was trying to make sure you had options.””
“No,” she whispered.
“That can't be right.””
Vanessa turned toward her.
“Sweetheart, listen to me. I was trying to make sure you had options.””
“Did you sign something saying I would get money if Zoria lost her scholarship?””
“I signed an agreement to secure financial support for you.””
“Did you sign something saying I would get money if Zoria lost her scholarship?””
“I signed an agreement to secure financial support for you.””
“That isn't what I asked.””
Vanessa's jaw tightened.
“You don't need to worry“That isn't what I asked.””
Vanessa's jaw tightened.
“You don't need to worry about the legal details.””
Kendra stared at her mother.
“You keep telling me not to worry about things. You told me not to worry about the spreadsheet. about the legal details.””
Kendra stared at her mother.
“You keep telling me not to worry about things. You told me not to worry about the spreadsheet. You told me not to worry about the scholarship. You told me not to worry about the money.””
Her voice broke.
“What am I supposed to worry about, Mom? Because You told me not to worry about the scholarship. You told me not to worry about the money.””
Her voice broke.
“What am I supposed to worry about, Mom? Because it seems like everything you told me not to worry about was a lie.””
Vanessa's eyes filled.
“I did this it seems like everything you told me not to worry about was a lie.””
Vanessa's eyes filled.
“I did this for you.””
Kendra shook her head.
“No. You did this because you were afraid I would feel like a failure.””
The words for you.””
Kendra shook her head.
“No. You did this because you were afraid I would feel like a failure.””
The words hung in the air.
Zoria stood behind Kendra, one hand gripping the doorframe. She had spent the evening learning that the scholarship hung in the air.
Zoria stood behind Kendra, one hand gripping the doorframe. She had spent the evening learning that the scholarship she thought she'd lost had never been withdrawn properly, that someone had accused her of academic fraud, and that a stranger had apparently offered money in connection with the she thought she'd lost had never been withdrawn properly, that someone had accused her of academic fraud, and that a stranger had apparently offered money in connection with the entire affair.
Now she was watching her stepsister discover that her own future had been turned into a bargaining chip.
I placed the agreement on the table.
“Who entire affair.
Now she was watching her stepsister discover that her own future had been turned into a bargaining chip.
I placed the agreement on the table.
“Who is Adrian Cole?””
Vanessa pressed her lips together.
“An educational consultant.””
“What does he consult on?””
“College admissions. Financial planning. Scholarship is Adrian Cole?””
Vanessa pressed her lips together.
“An educational consultant.””
“What does he consult on?””
“College admissions. Financial planning. Scholarship alternatives.””
“Why does he have an agreement tied to Zoria's withdrawal?””
“He said he could help Kendra get into a better school alternatives.””
“Why does he have an agreement tied to Zoria's withdrawal?””
“He said he could help Kendra get into a better school.””
Kendra stared at her.
“I'm already applying to schools.””
“I know.””
“You told me to wait until next year.””
Kendra stared at her.
“I'm already applying to schools.””
“I know.””
“You told me to wait until next year.””
“I wanted to make sure we had the finances in order.””
Kendra's expression crumpled.
“You said I wasn't ready to apply.””
“I wanted to make sure we had the finances in order.””
Kendra's expression crumpled.
“You said I wasn't ready to apply this year because I was emotionally overwhelmed. You said taking a year off would help me become more confident.””
Vanessa reached for her.
“Kendra, I was trying to protect you.””
K this year because I was emotionally overwhelmed. You said taking a year off would help me become more confident.””
Vanessa reached for her.
“Kendra, I was trying to protect you.””
Kendra stepped away.
“You keep saying that. But every time you say it, somebody else gets hurt.””
I looked down at the agreement again.
Aendra stepped away.
“You keep saying that. But every time you say it, somebody else gets hurt.””
I looked down at the agreement again.
A clause on the third page specified that the funding would be released in two installments. The first payment clause on the third page specified that the funding would be released in two installments. The first payment had already been made to Vanessa.
The second was contingent on the completion of several conditions, including confirmation that Zoria's scholarship had been withdrawn and that no had already been made to Vanessa. The second was contingent on the completion of several conditions, including confirmation that Zoria's scholarship had been withdrawn and that no formal complaint remained under review.
The message on Vanessa's phone had mentioned a second payment.
formal complaint remained under review.
The message on Vanessa's phone had mentioned a second payment.
Now I understood why.
I didn't yet know who Adrian represented, what his true motives were, or whetherNow I understood why.
I didn't yet know who Adrian represented, what his true motives were, or whether he had deliberately encouraged Vanessa to interfere with Zoria's scholarship. But I could see that he had tied money to the outcome of a decision Vanessa he had deliberately encouraged Vanessa to interfere with Zoria's scholarship. But I could see that he had tied money to the outcome of a decision Vanessa had no right to control.
“Where is the first payment?”” I asked.
Vanessa looked away.
“It's gone.””
“Gone where?””
“Expenses had no right to control.
“Where is the first payment?”” I asked.
Vanessa looked away.
“It's gone.””
“Gone where?””
“Expenses.””
“What expenses?””
She folded her arms.
“I paid bills. I covered things around the house. I handled several.””
“What expenses?””
She folded her arms.
“I paid bills. I covered things around the house. I handled several personal obligations.””
“How much did he give you?””
She remained silent.
I looked at the agreement.
The personal obligations.””
“How much did he give you?””
She remained silent.
I looked at the agreement.
The amount was printed in bold on the second page.
*Initial payment: $12,500.*
My stomach tightened.
“You received twelve thousand five hundred dollars?””
amount was printed in bold on the second page.
*Initial payment: $12,500.*
My stomach tightened.
“You received twelve thousand five hundred dollars?””
Vanessa nodded faintly.
“And you didn't tell me.””
“I knew you'd object.””
“Because you knew the moneyVanessa nodded faintly.
“And you didn't tell me.””
“I knew you'd object.””
“Because you knew the money was tied to our daughter's scholarship?””
“No! I knew you'd object to Adrian getting involved.””
“Why?””
She rubbed her forehead.
“Because you think was tied to our daughter's scholarship?””
“No! I knew you'd object to Adrian getting involved.””
“Why?””
She rubbed her forehead.
“Because you think every decision has to be made together. You don't understand what it's like to have someone offer you a solution when you're desperate every decision has to be made together. You don't understand what it's like to have someone offer you a solution when you're desperate.””
I stared at her.
“Desperate for what?””
Her eyes filled again.
“For Kendra to stop feeling like she was second best.””
Kendra made.””
I stared at her.
“Desperate for what?””
Her eyes filled again.
“For Kendra to stop feeling like she was second best.””
Kendra made a small, wounded sound.
“Mom, I never asked you to do this.””
Vanessa turned to her.
“You were crying every night after Zoria got a small, wounded sound.
“Mom, I never asked you to do this.””
Vanessa turned to her.
“You were crying every night after Zoria got the scholarship. You stopped talking about college. You told me you felt like everyone expected the scholarship.
You stopped talking about college. You told me you felt like everyone expected you to be less successful than her.””
“I was sad!””
“You said you couldn't compete.””
“Because I thought I had to compete!”” Kendra shouted.
“You you to be less successful than her.””
“I was sad!””
“You said you couldn't compete.””
“Because I thought I had to compete!”” Kendra shouted.
“You kept comparing us!””
Vanessa recoiled.
Kendra wiped her cheeks with both hands.
“You told me Zoria would become some kept comparing us!””
Vanessa recoiled.
Kendra wiped her cheeks with both hands.
“You told me Zoria would become some brilliant, successful person and I'd always be the daughter who couldn't keep up. You said if she left, Dad would spend all his time helping her and I'd have brilliant, successful person and I'd always be the daughter who couldn't keep up. You said if she left, Dad would spend all his time helping her and I'd have nothing.””
Her voice trembled.
“I wanted you to tell me I was enough. I didn't want you to buy me a future by taking hers away.””
Vanessa nothing.””
Her voice trembled.
“I wanted you to tell me I was enough. I didn't want you to buy me a future by taking hers away.””
Vanessa's face crumpled.
For a moment, she seemed unable to speak.
Then she whispered, “I never thought it would go this far.””
Z's face crumpled.
For a moment, she seemed unable to speak.
Then she whispered, “I never thought it would go this far.””
Zoria finally stepped into the room.
“How far did you think it would go?””
Vanessa looked at her.
“I thought you'd decline the scholarship,oria finally stepped into the room.
“How far did you think it would go?””
Vanessa looked at her.
“I thought you'd decline the scholarship, work for a year, and apply again when things were better.””
“You knew I might lose my place at Westbridge.””
“I work for a year, and apply again when things were better.””
“You knew I might lose my place at Westbridge.””
“I thought they would let you reapply.””
“You told me the scholarship wasn't worth destroying the family.””
Vanessa began to cry.
“I was wrong.””
The thought they would let you reapply.””
“You told me the scholarship wasn't worth destroying the family.””
Vanessa began to cry.
“I was wrong.””
The admission was so quiet that it barely seemed real.
Zoria stood still.
“Do you understand what you did to me?””
“Yes admission was so quiet that it barely seemed real.
Zoria stood still.
“Do you understand what you did to me?””
“Yes.””
“No, Mom. I don't think you do.””
Zoria pulled the.””
“No, Mom. I don't think you do.””
Zoria pulled the chair out and sat down, as though her legs could no longer support her.
“I stopped sleeping. I stopped opening emails from the university because chair out and sat down, as though her legs could no longer support her.
“I stopped sleeping. I stopped opening emails from the university because I was afraid there would be another message telling me I'd made the wrong choice. I kept thinking Dad would find out and ask why I had wasted his money.
I started believing I wasn't smart I was afraid there would be another message telling me I'd made the wrong choice. I kept thinking Dad would find out and ask why I had wasted his money. I started believing I wasn't smart enough to go anywhere, even though I had already earned the scholarship.””
She looked up at Vanessa.
“And while I was doing that, you were making plans for the money you thought enough to go anywhere, even though I had already earned the scholarship.””
She looked up at Vanessa.
“And while I was doing that, you were making plans for the money you thought I'd save by staying home.””
Vanessa covered her face.
Zoria's voice broke.
“You didn't just take away a scholarship. You made me ashamed of wanting I'd save by staying home.””
Vanessa covered her face.
Zoria's voice broke.
“You didn't just take away a scholarship. You made me ashamed of wanting a future.””
Nobody spoke.
I wanted to comfort my daughter, but she was looking at her mother, a future.””
Nobody spoke.
I wanted to comfort my daughter, but she was looking at her mother, waiting for an answer that could not undo waiting for an answer that could not undo what had happened.
Finally, Vanessa lowered her hands.
“I am sorry.””
Zoria's expression didn't change.
“Are you sorry you did it, or are you sorry we found out?””
Vanessa stared at her.
“I'm sorry I hurt you.””
“That's not what I asked.””
Her what had happened.
Finally, Vanessa lowered her hands.
“I am sorry.””
Zoria's expression didn't change.
“Are you sorry you did it, or are you sorry we found out?””
Vanessa stared at her.
“I'm sorry I hurt you.””
“That's not what I asked.””
Her mother began to cry harder.
For the first time, she looked genuinely lost.
“I don't know how to fix this.””
“You start by telling the truth.””
Vanessa looked down at the agreement.
mother began to cry harder.
For the first time, she looked genuinely lost.
“I don't know how to fix this.””
“You start by telling the truth.””
Vanessa looked down at the agreement.
Then she nodded.
“Adrian approached me about six weeks ago. He said he had connections with private scholarship foundations and could help Kendra find funding.Then she nodded.
“Adrian approached me about six weeks ago. He said he had connections with private scholarship foundations and could help Kendra find funding. He told me there were families who would pay for educational opportunities that had become available because He told me there were families who would pay for educational opportunities that had become available because other students changed their plans.””
I frowned.
“Families who would pay for what?””
“He said some scholarship recipients decide other students changed their plans.””
I frowned.
“Families who would pay for what?””
“He said some scholarship recipients decide not to attend. Their places open up, and private donors sometimes redirect funding to other students.””
“That sounds nothing not to attend. Their places open up, and private donors sometimes redirect funding to other students.””
“That sounds nothing like the agreement in your hand,” I said.
“I know.””
“Did he tell you that Kendra's funding depended like the agreement in your hand,” I said.
“I know.””
“Did he tell you that Kendra's funding depended on Zoria withdrawing?””
Vanessa hesitated.
“He said the opportunity was connected to a scholarship becoming available.””
“Did on Zoria withdrawing?””
Vanessa hesitated.
“He said the opportunity was connected to a scholarship becoming available.””
“Did he tell you to pressure Zoria?””
“He said I needed to make sure she was serious about declining he tell you to pressure Zoria?””
“He said I needed to make sure she was serious about declining. He said the foundation couldn't commit funds if she changed her mind.””
Zoria stared at her mother.
“So you knew someone was paying you because I was giving. He said the foundation couldn't commit funds if she changed her mind.””
Zoria stared at her mother.
“So you knew someone was paying you because I was giving up my scholarship.””
Vanessa nodded.
“Eventually, yes.””
“When?””
“After the first meeting up my scholarship.””
Vanessa nodded.
“Eventually, yes.””
“When?””
“After the first meeting with Adrian.””
I felt anger rise again.
“Then why did you tell us this was about Kendra's feelings?””
“Because that was how it with Adrian.””
I felt anger rise again.
“Then why did you tell us this was about Kendra's feelings?””
“Because that was how it started!””
“No,” I said.
“That was how you justified it. The money is started!””
“No,” I said.
“That was how you justified it. The money is why you continued.””
Vanessa didn't answer.
Kendra slowly lowered herself why you continued.””
Vanessa didn't answer.
Kendra slowly lowered herself into a chair.
“Mom, did Adrian tell you to send the email accusing Zoria of cheating?””
Vanessa looked horrified.
“No. He into a chair.
“Mom, did Adrian tell you to send the email accusing Zoria of cheating?””
Vanessa looked horrified.
“No. He never told me to accuse her of anything.””
“Then who sent it?””
“I don't know.””
I placed the agreement beside the printed never told me to accuse her of anything.””
“Then who sent it?””
“I don't know.””
I placed the agreement beside the printed complaint.
“Your phone number was associated with the account. The message was sent from a device connected to this complaint.
“Your phone number was associated with the account. The message was sent from a device connected to this house. And you knew there was a financial deadline tied to the scholarship investigation.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“I didn't send that email.””
“Did house. And you knew there was a financial deadline tied to the scholarship investigation.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“I didn't send that email.””
“Did you give anyone access to the account?””
She hesitated.
“I gave Adrian some information about our household finances you give anyone access to the account?””
She hesitated.
“I gave Adrian some information about our household finances. He said he needed it to evaluate the funding agreement.””
“What information?””
“Your email address. Some account details. Our contact information.””
I stared at her.
“You gave a. He said he needed it to evaluate the funding agreement.””
“What information?””
“Your email address. Some account details. Our contact information.””
I stared at her.
“You gave a stranger my personal information?””
“He said it was necessary.””
“For what?””
“I don't know!””
Her voice rose into a desperate cry.
“I stranger my personal information?””
“He said it was necessary.””
“For what?””
“I don't know!””
Her voice rose into a desperate cry.
“I don't know everything he did. I thought he was helping me. I thought I could get Kendra the funding she needed without putting any don't know everything he did.
I thought he was helping me. I thought I could get Kendra the funding she needed without putting any more pressure on you.””
Kendra stared at her mother.
“You didn't need to hide anything from Dad more pressure on you.””
Kendra stared at her mother.
“You didn't need to hide anything from Dad. He would have helped me.””
Vanessa looked at me.
“You don't understand. I was afraid you'd say no.””
“Then you should have let me say no.””
The. He would have helped me.””
Vanessa looked at me.
“You don't understand. I was afraid you'd say no.””
“Then you should have let me say no.””
The simplicity of the answer seemed to break something in her.
She sank into a chair and began sobbing.
I didn't move toward her.
Not because I wanted simplicity of the answer seemed to break something in her.
She sank into a chair and began sobbing.
I didn't move toward her.
Not because I wanted to punish her, but because I no longer knew which part of her distress was regret and which part was fear of losing control.
The phone on the table vibrated to punish her, but because I no longer knew which part of her distress was regret and which part was fear of losing control.
The phone on the table vibrated.
Everyone looked at it.
Vanessa reached for it, but I got there first.
The screen displayed a new message from Adrian Cole.
**I need.
Everyone looked at it.
Vanessa reached for it, but I got there first.
The screen displayed a new message from Adrian Cole.
**I need confirmation that Zoria's withdrawal is final. If the university has reopened the case, do not discuss the agreement with anyone else confirmation that Zoria's withdrawal is final. If the university has reopened the case, do not discuss the agreement with anyone else.
We meet tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. Bring the original documents.**
A second message appeared before I could set the phone down.
*If you have. We meet tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. Bring the original documents.*
A second message appeared before I could set the phone down.
*If you have already told Daniel, we have a serious problem.*
Vanessa snatched the phone from my hand.
“He's threatening me.””
“Maybe,” I said already told Daniel, we have a serious problem.**
Vanessa snatched the phone from my hand.
“He's threatening me.””
“Maybe,” I said.
“Or maybe he's worried that the agreement will be exposed.””
She stood abruptly.
“I need to meet him.””
“No.
“Or maybe he's worried that the agreement will be exposed.””
She stood abruptly.
“I need to meet him.””
“No.””
Her eyes widened.
“You cannot tell me where I can go.””
“I'm not stopping you from leaving the house. But I'm not allowing another.””
Her eyes widened.
“You cannot tell me where I can go.””
“I'm not stopping you from leaving the house. But I'm not allowing another secret meeting that could put our daughters in the middle of this.””
“I have to find out what he's planning.””
“Then we do it secret meeting that could put our daughters in the middle of this.””
“I have to find out what he's planning.””
“Then we do it properly. We preserve the messages, get legal advice, and let the university handle its investigation.””
She properly. We preserve the messages, get legal advice, and let the university handle its investigation.””
She looked at the agreement.
“If Adrian withdraws the funding, Kendra loses everything.””
Kendra rose from looked at the agreement.
“If Adrian withdraws the funding, Kendra loses everything.””
Kendra rose from her chair.
“I never had that money, Mom.””
Vanessa stared at her.
“I thought it would give you a chance.””
“I don't her chair.
“I never had that money, Mom.””
Vanessa stared at her.
“I thought it would give you a chance.””
“I don't want a chance that depends on Zoria losing hers.””
Kendra walked to her want a chance that depends on Zoria losing hers.””
Kendra walked to her stepsister and held out her hand.
Zoria looked at it for a moment before taking it.
The girls stood together beside stepsister and held out her hand.
Zoria looked at it for a moment before taking it.
The girls stood together beside the table, their fingers intertwined.
I felt an unexpected ache in my chest.
They had lost an evening of celebration, but perhaps they were beginning to reclaim something more the table, their fingers intertwined.
I felt an unexpected ache in my chest.
They had lost an evening of celebration, but perhaps they were beginning to reclaim something more important: the right to see each other without someone constantly measuring their worth.
Then my phone rang.
The caller ID showed an unfamiliar number.
I answered.
“Hello?””
A woman's voice important: the right to see each other without someone constantly measuring their worth.
Then my phone rang.
The caller ID showed an unfamiliar number.
I answered.
“Hello?””
A woman's voice spoke quietly.
“Mr. Mercer? My name is Patricia Lane. I'm a lawyer representing the educational foundation that entered into an agreement with your wife.””
I glanced at Vanessa.
spoke quietly.
“Mr. Mercer? My name is Patricia Lane. I'm a lawyer representing the educational foundation that entered into an agreement with your wife.””
I glanced at Vanessa.
She had gone completely still.
“How did you get my number?”” I asked.
“Your wife listed you as a household contact. I'm calling because our foundation has discovered discrepancies in the documents submitted by Mr. Cole.””
“What kind of discrepancies?””
“Before I explain, I need to ask you something. Did your wife tell you that the moneyShe had gone completely still.
“How did you get my number?”” I asked.
“Your wife listed you as a household contact. I'm calling because our foundation has discovered discrepancies in the documents submitted by Mr. Cole.””
“What kind of discrepancies?””
“Before I explain, I need to ask you something. Did your wife tell you that the money she received was intended to fund Kendra's education?””
“Yes.””
There was a pause.
“Then she has not told you the most important part.””
My grip she received was intended to fund Kendra's education?””
“Yes.””
There was a pause.
“Then she has not told you the most important part.””
My grip tightened around the phone.
“What part?””
“The agreement was not a scholarship arrangement. It was a private referral contract, tightened around the phone.
“What part?””
“The agreement was not a scholarship arrangement. It was a private referral contract, and the payment was made in exchange for access to information about students whose awards might become available.””
I stared at Vanessa.
She shook and the payment was made in exchange for access to information about students whose awards might become available.””
I stared at Vanessa.
She shook her head frantically, mouthing, Don't listen.
The lawyer continued.
“Mr. Mercer, we believe your wife may have her head frantically, mouthing, Don't listen.
The lawyer continued.
“Mr. Mercer, we believe your wife may have been misled about the nature of the arrangement. But we also have reason to believe that the scholarship been misled about the nature of the arrangement. But we also have reason to believe that the scholarship withdrawal was only one part of a larger plan.””
“What larger plan?””
Her answer made my blood run cold.
“Mr. Cole has withdrawal was only one part of a larger plan.””
“What larger plan?””
Her answer made my blood run cold.
“Mr. Cole has been contacting multiple families. And according to the records we recovered, Zoria was not the first student whose scholarship status was targeted.””
I looked at my daughter.
She was still holding Kendra's hand.
“Who was the first?”” I asked.
The lawyer paused.
Then she said a name.
A name been contacting multiple families. And according to the records we recovered, Zoria was not the first student whose scholarship status was targeted.””
I looked at my daughter.
She was still holding Kendra's hand.
“Who was the first?”” I asked.
The lawyer paused.
Then she said a name.
A name that belonged to one of Zoria's closest friends.
A girl who had received a full scholarship that belonged to one of Zoria's closest friends.
A girl who had received a full scholarship to Westbridge two weeks before Zoria.
A girl whose family had announced, just days ago, that she would no longer be attending.
And suddenly, to Westbridge two weeks before Zoria.
A girl whose family had announced, just days ago, that she would no longer be attending.
And suddenly, I understood that my daughter's graduation party had not exposed a single family secret.
It had uncovered a scheme that might have been operating long before Vanessa ever met Adrian Cole.
The lawyer's voice lowered.
“Mr. Mercer, there's one more thing. We found a document showing that someone used your wife's identity to contact the other student's family.””
I I understood that my daughter's graduation party had not exposed a single family secret.
It had uncovered a scheme that might have been operating long before Vanessa ever met Adrian Cole.
The lawyer's voice lowered.
“Mr. Mercer, there's one more thing. We found a document showing that someone used your wife's identity to contact the other student's family.””
I looked at Vanessa.
She was trembling.
“Did you contact them?”” I asked.
She shook her head.
“I swear I didn't.””
The lawyer continued.
“The message offered the family money in exchange for their cooperation. But the signature at the bottom wasn't your wife's.””
I closed my eyes for looked at Vanessa.
She was trembling.
“Did you contact them?”” I asked.
She shook her head.
“I swear I didn't.””
The lawyer continued.
“The message offered the family money in exchange for their cooperation. But the signature at the bottom wasn't your wife's.””
I closed my eyes for a second.
“Whose signature was it?””
When she answered, the room seemed to tilt beneath me.
“It was yours, Mr a second.
“Whose signature was it?””
When she answered, the room seemed to tilt beneath me.
“It was yours, Mr. Mercer.””
May you like
And for the second time that night, I was forced. Mercer.””
And for the second time that night, I was forced to confront the possibility that someone had been using my name to destroy my daughter's future while making it look as though I had agreed to every step. to confront the possibility that someone had been using my name to destroy my daughter's future while making it look as though I had agreed to every step.
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