Chapter 15 - THE GALA RETURNS|
The Montgomery Foundation announced another major fundraising event, hoping to redirect attention from the previous gala scandal.
Sarah learned about it through a public invitation addressed to the entire family. Richard called the same afternoon.
"My mother wants to make things right," he said.
"She can start by telling the truth."
"She's willing to issue an apology."
"An apology isn't the same as accountability."
Richard sighed.
"The foundation is losing donors. Employees are frightened. People who depend on those grants may suffer."
Sarah understood the concern. The foundation funded scholarships and housing programs that helped people who had never met a Montgomery.
She agreed to attend a public board meeting, not to reconcile with Richard, but to insist that the foundation's finances be independently reviewed.
At the meeting, several trustees questioned Beatrice about the missing earrings and the use of security at the gala. Beatrice acknowledged that her accusation had been unsupported and apologized publicly.
"I failed to treat Sarah with dignity," she said. "I allowed suspicion to become spectacle."
Sarah listened without offering forgiveness.
Then Elena presented a proposal for an independent audit and a formal policy protecting employees, family members, and guests from retaliatory investigations.
The trustees approved it by a narrow majority.
Richard approached Sarah afterward.
"You changed things."
"People changed things. I just refused to pretend nothing happened."
He looked at her wedding ring, which she no longer wore.
"Is there any chance for us?"
Sarah considered the question honestly.
"I don't hate you, Richard. But I don't want to spend the rest of my life teaching you how to stand beside me."
He nodded, eyes lowered.
"I understand."
"Do you?"
"I think I'm beginning to."
For once, he did not ask her to comfort him.
That evening, Sarah received confirmation that the forensic accountant had identified the source of the unexplained payments. One company belonged to a holding group controlled by a distant relative of Stefan's late father.
The name was Adrian Volkov.
Stefan recognized it immediately.
"My cousin. He managed part of the family estate before I took control."
"Could he have worked with Daniel?"
"He could have. But Adrian died twelve years ago."
Elena explained that a dormant account connected to his estate had recently been activated.
The person who authorized the transfer was still alive.
Sarah read the signature at the bottom of the transaction.
It belonged to someone who had attended both Montgomery galas.
Someone who had publicly defended Beatrice.
May you like
Someone who had offered Sarah sympathy after the accusation.
Carolyn Vanderbilt.
