Chapter 6 - THE SIGNATURE THAT WASN'T HERS
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The next morning, Nora sat in a forensic accountant's office and watched a stranger dismantle fifteen years of her life one spreadsheet at a time.
His name was Peter Lang.
He had spent twenty years investigating financial fraud for federal agencies before opening a private practice.
He was not impressed by Camden's reputation.
He was impressed by the records Nora had preserved.
“Most founders don't keep this level of documentation,” he said.
“I wasn't a founder on paper.”
Peter looked up.
“That's the first thing we're going to challenge.”
He displayed the original incorporation documents.
Nora's name appeared beside Camden's.
Then he displayed the restructuring documents.
Her signature appeared again.
Peter enlarged it.
“See the loop in the B?”
Nora leaned closer.
“My B has a straight downstroke. I don't make that loop.”
“Exactly.”
He compared the signature with her original lease and bank documents.
The difference became obvious.
“Someone copied your signature.”
Holly crossed her arms.
“Can you establish when?”
“Not from the image alone. But the electronic filing history may help.”
Peter opened a timeline.
The restructuring had taken place during Nora's second trimester with their first child.
She had been working late, attending prenatal appointments, and managing the company's expansion.
Camden had told her the paperwork was routine.
She remembered signing several documents that week.
But not this one.
Peter continued.
“There are also unexplained transfers from Breakwater to Northstar Advisory. The amounts are consistent with payments designed to avoid internal review.”
“Bianca's brother,” Nora said.
“Correct.”
Holly looked at the screen.
“Can we connect Bianca directly?”
“Not yet.”
Peter opened another file.
“However, the payments increased shortly after she joined the company as a consultant.”
Nora stared at the numbers.
She remembered Bianca's first day.
A beautiful woman in a tailored suit who had walked through the office as if she already owned it.
Camden had introduced her as a strategic adviser.
Nora had been too busy to question it.
“What do we do now?” Nora asked.
“Preserve everything. We can provide the records to the appropriate authorities through counsel.”
Holly nodded.
“And the trust?”
Daniel had joined them by video call.
“The trustees are prepared to suspend any transfer of the Whitmore interest until Nora's identity and ownership are confirmed.”
Nora looked at him.
“Can Camden still control Breakwater?”
“Not if the trust exercises its rights.”
A notification appeared on Holly's laptop.
She read it, then frowned.
“What?”
“Camden has scheduled an emergency board meeting for tomorrow.”
Nora felt a chill.
“Why?”
“He's proposing a merger with a private investment group.”
Peter checked the documents.
“Who owns the investment group?”
Holly scrolled.
“Northstar Holdings.”
Nora stared.
“Bianca's brother again.”
Daniel's voice became serious.
“If that merger goes through, the Whitmore trust's controlling interest could be diluted.”
“Can they do that?”
“Not legally without the trust's consent.”
Nora leaned back.
“Then why is he trying?”
Peter closed the laptop.
“Because he may believe the trust cannot prove its ownership before the vote.”
Nora looked at the signature that wasn't hers.
Camden had taken her name off the company.
Now he was trying to take the company away from her family.
She placed a hand over her stomach.
The baby moved.
This time, Nora smiled.
“Then we make sure he doesn't get the chance.”
That evening, a message arrived from Bianca.
You should stop digging. Camden has been patient, but he won't be forever.
Nora showed Holly.
Holly read it twice.
“Don't respond.”
Nora looked at the screen.
Then another message appeared.
May you like
Ask him what happened to your mother.
Nora went cold.
