Chapter 14 - THE FAMILY TAKES SIDES|
By Sunday, the family had divided into two camps.
One group believed Margaret had been unfairly accused. The other believed Ethan had betrayed me. Most of them were waiting to see which side would be safer before choosing.
Margaret arranged a family meeting at the mansion.
I almost declined.
Then Aunt Pauline called.
"Go," she said. "If she wants an audience, give her one she cannot control."
So I went.
Nineteen people were gathered in the drawing room. The same relatives who had watched Margaret humiliate me at dinner now avoided my eyes.
Margaret stood beside the fireplace.
She looked composed, but her hands were trembling.
"I want to put an end to these ridiculous accusations," she began.
Richard crossed his arms.
"Then explain the missing money."
Margaret turned.
"You've always been jealous of Ethan."
"That's not an explanation."
She looked at me.
"Naomi has been feeding everyone lies. She has always wanted to control the family."
I placed a folder on the table.
"These are the payment records. These are the forged documents. And this is the recording of Margaret discussing the unauthorized transfers with my father."
A cousin picked up the first page.
"Is this real?"
"Yes."
Margaret laughed.
"Anyone can manufacture a recording."
Daniel stepped forward.
"The original file has been preserved. It has been submitted for forensic authentication."
Margaret's expression tightened.
"You're all choosing her over me?"
Aunt Pauline switched on her hearing aid.
"No, Margaret. We're choosing the truth."
The room went silent.
Margaret turned toward Ethan.
"Tell them."
He stood beside the window.
"Mother, I think we should stop."
She stared at him.
"What?"
"Just stop."
"You promised you'd support me."
"I did."
"And now?"
He looked at the floor.
"I don't know what to believe anymore."
Margaret's face twisted.
"After everything I've done for you?"
Richard spoke quietly.
"That's exactly the problem. You've spent years making everyone believe they owe you."
Margaret turned on him.
"You ungrateful man."
Then she pointed at me.
"Your mother would have hated what you've become."
I felt the words, but I did not let them move me.
"No," I said. "My mother would have hated what you did."
Margaret's lips parted.
For a moment, the room seemed to wait for her to deny everything.
Instead, she looked at Ethan.
"Tell them about the account."
He went pale.
"What account?"
"The one you opened in your name. The one you used to move the money. Tell them who asked you to do it."
Ethan shook his head.
"Don't."
Margaret smiled bitterly.
"You wanted to be a man of power. You wanted the house. You wanted the company. Now you can explain how you planned to get them."
The family erupted.
Ethan turned toward me.
"Naomi, I can explain."
I held up one hand.
"Not here."
He took a step closer.
"Please."
"Tell the truth to the investigators."
Margaret grabbed her coat.
"This family is finished."
Aunt Pauline answered without hesitation.
"No, dear. Your little kingdom is."
Margaret stormed out.
Ethan remained in the room.
Then his phone rang.
He looked at the screen and went white.
"What is it?" I asked.
May you like
He lowered the phone.
"Preston Cole has disappeared."
