Chapter 6
I stared at the screen.
A property deed.
My mansion.
My address.
But the associated loan documents listed a company controlled by my mother.
I frowned.
“What am I looking at?”
Rebecca sighed.
“An attempt to borrow against the property using documents that may contain forged signatures. We need to verify the filings, but this is serious.”
I felt the blood drain from my face.
“They tried to use my house as collateral?”
“Yes.”
“For what?”
Rebecca clicked another file.
“A luxury development project that appears to have failed.”
I sat back.
“How much?”
She hesitated.
“Approximately four million dollars in unauthorized loans and disputed obligations.”
I stared at the numbers.
Four million.
Then she opened another document.
“And there's one more thing.”
It was a draft separation agreement.
My name appeared at the top.
So did Emma's.
According to the document, Emma had supposedly agreed to give up any claim to marital property in exchange for a small cash settlement.
I almost laughed.
Not because it was funny.
Because I couldn't comprehend the audacity.
“They were preparing to divorce us?”
Rebecca nodded.
“Without your knowledge, apparently. But this draft is not an effective divorce, and it gives us a very clear indication of what they were planning.”
I thought of Emma scrubbing pots.
Of her sleeping in a cramped guest room.
Of the fake messages.
And suddenly, my family's entire strategy made sense.
They hadn't just wanted my money.
They wanted Emma erased from my life.
Because as long as she remained my wife, they could never fully control everything.
I turned to Rebecca.
“Can we prove it?”
She nodded toward the documents.
“We have a strong starting point. Bank records, original signatures, communications, witness statements. We'll need a proper investigation.”
I looked toward the door.
“Then do it properly.”
Rebecca studied me.
“What about your family?”
I took a breath.
“Call them into the dining room.”
CHAPTER 6 — THE LAST FAMILY MEETING
My mother arrived first.
Jennifer followed, looking irritated.
Michael came in carrying a coffee, wearing the same expensive watch I'd bought him for his birthday.
They sat around the table as though attending an ordinary business meeting.
Margaret smiled.
“Daniel, I'm so glad you've calmed down. Yesterday was terribly unpleasant.”
I said nothing.
Jennifer crossed her legs.
“Emma has always been dramatic. You know that.”
Michael chuckled.
“Honestly, bro, you should've called before showing up.”