Chapter 4: The Second Account
"The original $56,000 scholarship fund may not be the only account involved.""
Dr. Anderson's words sent another wave of whispers through the auditorium.
My father stood motionless beside the podium.
"What other account?"" he asked.
The principal closed the folder, then opened a second one.
"During our investigation, we discovered several transactions connected to an educational assistance account established under your late wife's name. Unlike the memorial scholarship, this account was never registered with the school.""
Dad frowned.
"That's impossible. Sarah and I never opened another account.""
Patricia Whitmore suddenly stood.
"Dr. Anderson, this has gone far enough. You're making serious allegations without presenting the full circumstances.""
Richard Whitmore turned toward his wife.
"Patricia, sit down.""
She stared at him.
"Don't you dare speak to me like that in front of these people.""
"I've been sitting here listening to you talk for twenty minutes. Now I want answers.""
Dr. Anderson lifted another document.
"According to the records, approximately $18,400 was transferred from the second account over the past three years.""
Dad gripped the microphone.
"Who owned that account?""
"The account was registered under a company called Whitmore Educational Consulting.""
Richard's face changed.
He slowly turned toward Patricia.
"That's your company.""
Patricia didn't answer.
I looked between them.
"Why would a scholarship account be connected to your company?""
Richard ran a hand over his forehead.
"Because she started an educational consulting business several years ago. She told me it was helping families with college applications.""
Patricia snapped.
"It does!""
"Then why is Michael Carter's name on its financial records?""
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Dad stepped closer to the principal.
"I want to see those records.""
Dr. Anderson handed him the folder.
My father studied the pages carefully.
I watched his face.
He looked confused at first.
Then concerned.
Then deeply hurt.
"What is this?"" he whispered.
I leaned over his shoulder.
The document showed deposits made into the second account every year. Some were labeled as scholarship donations. Others were marked as administrative expenses.
But one entry stood out.
A transfer of $7,500 had been made under the description:
*Sarah Carter Memorial Fund — Administrative Release.*
Dad shook his head.
"I never authorized this.""
Richard pulled out his phone.
"Patricia, I need you to explain something.""
"Not here.""
"Yes. Here.""
She grabbed his arm.
"Richard, please. Think about Vanessa.""
He pulled away.
"That's exactly what I'm thinking about.""
Vanessa began crying again.
"Mom, you told me that scholarship money came from your business.""
Patricia turned toward her.
"Because it did!""
"Then why did you tell me not to mention Mr. Carter's name when I submitted my application?""
The room fell silent.
Patricia stared at her daughter.
Vanessa wiped her face.
"You said the Carter family had agreed to sponsor me privately. You even told me Mr. Carter was a distant family friend.""
Dad slowly lowered the document.
"I've never met you before today.""
Vanessa looked at him.
"I know.""
Her voice broke.
"I'm sorry.""
I wasn't ready to forgive her. Not after what she'd said about my father earlier.
But something about her expression told me she was beginning to understand the damage.
Dr. Anderson raised his hand.
"I believe we should pause this discussion and allow the independent committee to continue its review.""
Dad shook his head.
"Not yet.""
He turned toward Richard.
"Did you know about these accounts?""
Richard looked genuinely shaken.
"No. I knew Patricia ran a consulting business. I didn't know anything about your wife's scholarship.""
Patricia laughed bitterly.
"Of course you didn't. You never cared about anything except your properties and your investments.""
Richard stared at her.
"Did you use our daughter's name?""
She didn't answer.
"Did you use my company's financial information?""
"Richard, this is not the place.""
"Then where is the place, Patricia? At home, where you can give me another story?""
A security officer approached the stage.
Dr. Anderson quietly explained the situation.
Patricia immediately grabbed her handbag.
"This is ridiculous. I'm leaving.""
But Vanessa stepped in front of her.
"Mom, please. Just tell the truth.""
Patricia looked at her daughter with an expression I would never forget.
"You have no idea what I've sacrificed for you.""
Vanessa shook her head.
"I never asked you to steal from anyone.""
Patricia's hand tightened around her purse.
Then she leaned toward Vanessa and whispered something.
I couldn't hear the words.
But Vanessa's reaction was immediate.
She stepped backward as though her mother had slapped her.
"What do you mean you already spent it?""
Richard heard her.
He went completely still.
"Spent what?""
Vanessa covered her mouth.
Patricia closed her eyes.
And then Richard asked the question that changed everything.
"How much money did you take from that account?""
Patricia looked at the floor.
"Forty-two thousand dollars.""
Dad's face went pale.
"Forty-two thousand?""
She finally looked up.
"I was going to replace it.""
"With what?"" Richard demanded.
Patricia didn't respond.
The security officer stepped closer.
Dr. Anderson asked everyone to remain calm.
But my father was no longer looking at Patricia.
He was staring at the document in his hands.
At the bottom was a transaction date.
Six weeks earlier.
The same week someone had entered our house.
Then Dad quietly said something that made my heart stop.
"Emily, I think I know what they were really looking for.""
May you like
He looked directly at me.
"Your mother's original will.""
