Chapter 3
The following morning, Andrew Weston walked into his Manhattan office expecting to find his wife waiting to apologize.
Instead, he found three attorneys.
His chief financial officer stood beside the conference table, pale and sweating.
“What is this?” Andrew demanded.
The oldest attorney rose.
“Mr. Weston, my name is Margaret Hale. I represent the Ashford Family Trust.”
Andrew frowned.
“Ashford?”
“Yes.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
Margaret placed a document on the table.
“Your company has breached several financing agreements. Effective immediately, all additional funding is suspended pending investigation.”
Andrew laughed.
“You can't be serious.”
“I'm entirely serious.”
“Do you know who I am?”
Margaret didn't blink.
“Yes, Mr. Weston. That's why we're here.”
She slid another document toward him.
It contained evidence of unauthorized transfers.
Payments to shell companies.
Invoices for nonexistent consulting services.
And one attempted transfer of controlling shares to Lila Summers.
Andrew's smile vanished.
“Where did you get this?”
“From records your company was legally required to provide.”
Richard Vale shifted uncomfortably.
Andrew turned toward him.
“You said this was handled.”
Richard said nothing.
Margaret continued.
“Until this investigation is complete, the trust will exercise its contractual rights to protect its investments.”
Andrew slammed his hand against the table.
“This is ridiculous. I want to speak to whoever owns Ashford Capital.”
Margaret folded her hands.
“You will have that opportunity.”
“When?”
She glanced at her watch.
“Friday. Ten o'clock.”
Andrew leaned forward.
“Fine. I'll be there.”
Margaret gathered her papers.
“One more thing.”
She placed a final envelope on the table.
Inside was a formal notice regarding suspected document forgery and unauthorized access to private medical information.
Andrew stared at it.
Then he looked at Richard.
“Get Lila on the phone.”
By Thursday evening, Lila Summers had stopped answering Andrew's calls.
He found her packing three enormous suitcases in the luxury apartment he'd rented for her.
“Where are you going?”
She didn't look up.
“Miami.”
Andrew blocked the doorway.
“We have a problem.”
Lila laughed bitterly.
“You have a problem.”
“You signed Emma's name.”
“You told me the authorization was legitimate.”
Andrew froze.
Lila turned toward him.
“You said Emma was unstable. You said she would never understand the business arrangements.”
“Keep your voice down.”
“No.”
She pulled a stack of papers from her handbag.
“You promised me shares in Weston Holdings. You promised that once the baby was born, you'd find a way to make sure Emma couldn't control the trust.”
Andrew reached for the papers.
Lila stepped back.
“Don't touch me.”
For the first time, he looked frightened.
“Lila, listen carefully. We need to stay together on this.”
She stared at him.
“Together?”
Then she laughed.
“You kissed me in front of every photographer in Manhattan because you said your wife was powerless.”
Andrew said nothing.
“You told me she came from nothing.”
Still nothing.
Lila's eyes narrowed.
“Who is Emma Ashford?”
Andrew's expression changed.
“Where did you hear that name?”
“Richard called me this morning. He said the Ashford trust controls the financing behind your entire company.”
Andrew grabbed her arm.
“Don't talk to Richard again.”
Lila pulled free.
And suddenly, she understood.
Andrew hadn't chosen her because she was special.
He'd chosen her because she was useful.
Young enough to believe his promises.
Ambitious enough to accept his gifts.
And foolish enough to put her own name on documents he didn't want connected to him.
Her voice dropped.
“You used me.”
Andrew's face hardened.
“Don't pretend you didn't enjoy the lifestyle.”
Lila stared at him.
Then she picked up her phone.
“Get out.”
He laughed.
“I'm paying for this apartment.”
“Not anymore.”
She held up the screen.
A message from Margaret Hale.
An invitation to provide information voluntarily in the investigation.
Lila looked Andrew directly in the eyes.
“I think it's time I told someone what you asked me to do.”