Chapter 7 - THE EX-FIANCÉ'S MOTHER|
Eleanor Crowe had never liked Claire Whitmore.
She considered Claire talented but inconvenient, the kind of woman who asked questions when everyone else expected her to smile.
When Ethan announced their engagement, Eleanor had told her son that Claire was not suitable for the family.
“She has no pedigree,” Eleanor had said.
“She has a successful company.”
“A small company.”
“It's profitable.”
“Ethan, you are building a legacy. You need a wife who understands the importance of appearances.”
He had ignored her then.
Eventually, he began repeating her arguments.
Now Eleanor sat in her private dining room reading the news coverage of the gala.
The headlines were embarrassing.
The videos were worse.
Ethan's slap had been captured from several angles. One clip showed Claire on the floor while guests stood frozen. Another showed Roman Vale approaching with the expression of a man who had just discovered a serious problem.
Eleanor hated the humiliation.
She did not yet understand the financial consequences.
Her son entered the room.
“Mother, I need your help.”
She placed the newspaper down.
“You need to apologize.”
Ethan stared at her.
“Excuse me?”
“You struck a woman in public. Do you have any idea how that looks?”
“She provoked me.”
“Then you should have walked away.”
He sat opposite her.
“The Vale deal is in trouble.”
Eleanor's expression sharpened.
“How much trouble?”
“Roman is reviewing the contracts. Claire has hired a lawyer. Someone is investigating Northstar.”
Eleanor went still.
“Why is Claire involved in Northstar?”
“Because the documents use her company's name.”
“Does she know about the original arrangement?”
Ethan frowned.
“What original arrangement?”
Eleanor recovered too quickly.
“Nothing. I meant the event contract.”
He leaned forward.
“Mother, what do you know?”
She stood and walked toward the window.
“Your father made several investments before he died. Some were complicated.”
“That isn't an answer.”
“Then ask your attorneys.”
Ethan watched her.
For the first time, he noticed that she was not merely concerned about his reputation.
She was frightened.
He left without another word.
Later that evening, Eleanor met with Richard Hale, the family's longtime financial adviser.
Richard had handled the Crowe family's investments for more than twenty years. He had been the person who introduced Northstar Advisory to Ethan and who recommended Peter Lawson as a consultant.
“We need to contain this,” Eleanor said.
Richard folded his hands.
“The documents are already under review.”
“Then make sure they disappear.”
“That would be a mistake.”
Eleanor's eyes narrowed.
“You have worked for this family long enough to know what is at stake.”
“I know exactly what is at stake. That's why we need to cooperate with the investigation rather than create another problem.”
She lowered her voice.
“Do you think Roman Vale will protect us?”
“No.”
“Then what do you suggest?”
Richard looked at her.
“Tell the truth about the original transaction.”
Eleanor's face hardened.
“That transaction was settled years ago.”
“Not completely.”
She stared at him.
Richard continued.
“Claire's company has been listed in the records because someone used its identity to conceal a transfer. The original transaction is separate. If we continue mixing them together, the investigators will discover both.”
Eleanor gripped the edge of the table.
“Who authorized the new documents?”
Richard hesitated.
“I believe Ethan did.”
Her face went pale.
“My son would never knowingly risk everything.”
Richard said nothing.
Eleanor stood abruptly.
“Then we need to protect him.”
“From what?”
“From the consequences.”
Richard looked at her with unexpected sadness.
“Those are not always the same thing.”
The next morning, Eleanor requested a meeting with Claire.
Claire almost refused.
Rebecca advised her to meet only in a professional setting, with counsel present and no private discussion about the investigation.
They agreed to a conference room at Rebecca's office.
Eleanor arrived wearing a navy suit and the expression of someone accustomed to being obeyed.
“I want to resolve this quietly,” she began.
Claire remained seated.
“So do I. Paying the invoice and correcting the false records would be a good start.”
Eleanor ignored the remark.
“My son has made mistakes. But destroying the family business won't help anyone.”
“I'm not trying to destroy it.”
“Then sign a statement confirming that you authorized the consulting agreement.”
Claire stared at her.
“You want me to lie?”
“I want you to consider the consequences.”
Claire stood.
“The consequences of my signature being forged are already serious. I'm not making them worse by signing another false document.”
Eleanor's composure cracked.
“You don't understand how powerful this family is.”
Claire looked at her calmly.
“I understand exactly how powerful you think you are. That's why I'm not signing.”
Eleanor left without another word.
May you like
As the door closed, Rebecca received an email from the forensic accountant.
The original consulting agreement had been created using a template stored on Eleanor Crowe's personal computer.
