Chapter 5: The Forty-Two-Million-Dollar Trap
"That's impossible," I whispered.
Margaret's voice became sharper.
"Leah, listen carefully. The application was submitted through an account that hasn't been active for eleven years.""
I looked at Martin.
He was already shaking his head.
"What's the beneficiary?"" I asked.
"A company called Westbridge Acquisition Partners.""
Martin closed his eyes.
Grant suddenly turned toward Richard Cole.
"Get the car ready.""
I stepped into his path.
"Nobody leaves.""
Grant glared at me.
"Move.""
"Not until you explain why someone is trying to borrow forty-two million dollars using my grandfather's authorization.""
He laughed.
"You've been watching too many financial crime documentaries.""
I held up my phone.
"Margaret, put the bank's compliance officer on speaker.""
A moment later, a woman's voice filled the hallway.
"This is Helen Brooks, senior compliance director at First Carolina Financial.""
I recognized the name.
Helen had attended several financing meetings with me over the years.
"Hello, Helen.""
"Mrs. Rowan. I'm glad we've connected. We have concerns about the application.""
"Tell me exactly what concerns you.""
"The applicant submitted a corporate authorization allegedly signed by Edward Bennett. The document grants Westbridge Acquisition Partners permission to borrow against certain Bennett Capital assets.""
I looked at the photocopy in my hand.
"My grandfather died eleven years ago.""
"Yes, ma'am. We have verified that. That's why the application has been flagged.""
"Who submitted it?""
There was a pause.
"Your husband's attorney.""
Every head turned toward Richard.
Richard immediately raised both hands.
"This is absurd. I submitted documents on behalf of the company.""
"Which company?"" I asked.
He didn't answer.
Helen continued.
"The application also includes an independent witness statement. The witness is listed as Martin Hale.""
I turned toward Martin.
He looked devastated.
Grant smiled.
"Well, there you have it. Martin is involved. Perhaps you'd like to stop accusing me now.""
Martin stepped forward.
"That signature is forged.""
Richard scoffed.
"Convenient.""
Martin opened his briefcase and removed a small black notebook.
"I kept records of every document I reviewed.""
He flipped through several pages.
"Three weeks ago, Richard asked me to verify a dormant corporate authorization. I refused because the document was incomplete.""
Richard shook his head.
"That's a lie.""
Martin continued.
"Two days later, someone accessed my office computer and submitted the authorization using my digital certificate.""
David Mercer stepped closer.
"Do you have the access logs?""
"Yes.""
Richard's face had turned gray.
I looked at Helen.
"Can the application be stopped?""
"Absolutely. We've placed it under review. But Mrs. Rowan, there's another concern.""
"What?""
"The proposed loan is secured against assets currently associated with a protected family trust.""
I glanced at the trust document.
"Then those assets cannot be pledged without my approval.""
"Correct.""
"Did anyone provide my approval?""
Helen hesitated.
"Yes.""
My stomach tightened.
"Who?""
"The application includes a video authorization.""
Grant smiled.
"There you go. Maybe you should watch before accusing everyone.""
Helen sent a secure link to my phone.
I opened it.
The video showed me sitting in my home office, wearing a cream blouse.
I watched myself look into the camera.
"My name is Leah Rowan. I authorize the transfer of forty-two million dollars to Westbridge Acquisition Partners.""
The voice was mine.
The face was mine.
Even the small scar above my left eyebrow was visible.
But I'd never recorded it.
I looked at Margaret.
"How is this possible?""
"Someone used previously recorded footage and digitally reconstructed the missing statements.""
Martin leaned toward the screen.
"Stop the video.""
I paused it.
"What?""
"Look at the clock behind her.""
I zoomed in.
The clock showed 8:17.
I remembered that evening.
I'd been at a charity dinner in Nashville, seated beside the governor and three hospital trustees.
There were photographs.
Security footage.
A hundred witnesses.
"That's not me," I said.
Helen replied immediately.
"We suspected that. Our forensic team is examining the recording.""
Grant rubbed his forehead.
"This is getting out of hand.""
I turned toward him.
"Your attorney submitted the loan. Your mistress is listed as a beneficiary of the earlier eighteen-million-dollar transaction. And someone has manufactured a video of me authorizing another forty-two million dollars.""
He spread his hands.
"You have no evidence that I knew anything about it.""
"Then you won't mind cooperating with the investigation.""
He said nothing.
At that moment, Sloane's phone began vibrating.
She looked at the screen.
Her face changed.
Grant noticed.
"Who is it?""
"Nobody.""
The phone vibrated again.
She quickly turned away.
I held out my hand.
"Let me see.""
"Absolutely not.""
"Then tell me why you're receiving calls from Westbridge Acquisition Partners.""
Sloane froze.
Grant looked at her.
"What?""
She swallowed.
"Grant, I can explain.""
I took a step forward.
"Please do.""
Her eyes filled with tears.
"I was told it was an investment opportunity. I didn't know they were using your grandfather's name.""
"Who told you?""
She looked at Grant.
He stared at her with an expression I'd never seen before.
Not love.
Not affection.
Fear.
"Sloane," he said quietly, "don't.""
She began crying.
"Your husband told me everything was already approved.""
The hallway fell silent.
Grant grabbed her wrist.
"Stop talking.""
She pulled away.
Then she said the sentence that made me realize this wasn't simply a financial betrayal.
"Grant told me your grandfather had left a second will, and that once the loan went through, you would lose control of Bennett Capital permanently.""
I turned toward Martin.
"Was there a second will?""
Martin's expression became grave.
"Yes.""
My heart stopped.
"Where is it?""
He looked toward the elevators.
"At the Bennett family estate.""
"Then why didn't you tell me?""
"Because the original executor disappeared before the document could be authenticated.""
"Who was the executor?""
May you like
Martin looked directly at Grant.
"Your husband's father.""
