Chapter 7 - The Woman They Called Confused
The emergency hearing took place on Monday morning.
Eleanor entered the courthouse in a wheelchair because of her ankle.
Julian walked beside her.
I sat three rows behind them with Rebecca and Sofia.
Victor stood across the room in an immaculate navy suit.
He looked like Julian.
Same dark hair.
Same sharp jawline.
But where Julian's expression had become increasingly tired, Victor looked almost amused.
His attorney argued that Eleanor had displayed concerning behavior.
Traveling alone.
Refusing medical assistance.
Meeting employees secretly.
Making unusual accusations.
And, most dramatically, being found injured in the rain.
I watched Eleanor's face.
She looked furious.
Her attorney presented medical assessments, corporate records, and evidence concerning the circumstances surrounding her outing.
Eleanor spoke for herself.
When asked why she went to Harbor and Vine, she answered:
"Because employees were reporting missing money."
Victor's attorney frowned.
"You chose to investigate personally?"
"Yes."
"Without informing your son?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Eleanor looked directly at Victor.
"Because someone inside my company was intercepting information."
The room became quiet.
The attorney continued.
"Do you frequently make decisions without consulting your family?"
Eleanor raised an eyebrow.
"I built a hotel business before my nephew learned to tie his shoes."
Someone coughed.
I nearly smiled.
She continued.
"I am allowed to disagree with my relatives."
The hearing did not end in Victor's favor.
His request for emergency control over Eleanor's affairs was denied on the evidence presented.
The underlying disputes would continue through appropriate proceedings, but Eleanor retained her decision-making authority.
Outside the courtroom, she looked at Julian.
"Well?"
He smiled.
"You're terrifying."
She nodded.
"Good."
Then Victor approached.
"Congratulations, Aunt Eleanor."
She turned.
"Victor."
He looked toward me.
His smile changed.
"Miss Carter."
My stomach tightened.
He stepped closer.
"Quite a story you've told."
I said nothing.
He continued.
"A struggling waitress rescues a billionaire's mother."
Julian moved beside me.
Victor smiled.
"How fortunate."
Eleanor's voice cut through the hallway.
"Leave her alone."
Victor looked at his aunt.
"I was only congratulating her."
Eleanor stared.
"You've never congratulated anyone without sending them a bill."
His smile vanished.
Then he walked away.
I watched him disappear.
My hands were shaking.
Julian noticed.
"Are you okay?"
I nodded.
"Just angry."
"Understandable."
Eleanor reached for my hand.
"Megan."
I crouched beside her.
"Yes?"
"You wrote that letter."
I nodded.
Her eyes filled.
"Thank you."
I swallowed.
"I almost didn't."
"Why?"
"Because I was afraid."
Eleanor smiled sadly.
"Most important things are done while someone is afraid."
I looked at her.
She continued.
"You didn't know who I was that night."
"No."
"And you helped anyway."
I nodded.
"That tells me more about you than any lawyer's argument ever could."
My eyes filled.
I looked away quickly.
Then Sofia approached.
Her expression was serious.
"Megan."
"What?"
"I found something."
She held up a small envelope.
I frowned.
"What's that?"
"Original receipts."
My heart started pounding.
"How many?"
"Enough."
Sofia explained that she'd hidden customer receipt copies in a sealed box at her sister's apartment.
She'd kept them for months.
Every time Frank altered the tip pool, she'd printed copies of the original transactions.
The receipts showed the amount customers paid.
The corresponding payroll statements showed what employees actually received.
Rebecca accepted the documents for examination.
Then Sofia said:
"There's another thing."
I looked at her.
"What?"
"Frank offered me money."
My stomach tightened.
"When?"
"Yesterday."
"How much?"
"Ten thousand."
I stared.
"For what?"
"To say you were the one altering the tip records."
I stopped breathing.
Julian's face hardened.
Sofia continued.
"He said if I didn't cooperate, Victor would make sure I never worked in hospitality again."
I looked toward the courthouse doors.
Victor had already disappeared.
Rebecca immediately documented Sofia's statement and arranged for the relevant communications to be preserved.
Then Julian's phone rang.
His security director.
"What?"
He listened.
His expression changed.
Then he looked at Eleanor.
"Mother."
She frowned.
"What?"
"Frank has left Boston."
I stared.
"Where?"
Julian shook his head.
"We don't know yet."
Eleanor closed her eyes.
Then Rebecca's phone vibrated.
She checked the message.
Her face went pale.
"Julian."
He turned.
"What?"
"The auditors found another account."
Julian frowned.
"Whose?"
Rebecca looked directly at Eleanor.
"The account is registered under your name."
Eleanor stared.
"I didn't open any account."
Rebecca swallowed.
"Then someone appears to have used your identity."
I felt my stomach drop.
May you like
The same man trying to take control of Eleanor's company had apparently been using her name to move money.
And now the evidence was pointing at her.
