Chapter 10: The Debt I Never Borrowed
“Three hundred and ten thousand dollars?””
I repeated the number because my mind refused to accept it.
Emmett placed both hands on the conference table.
“Halley, listen carefully. A forged guarantee does not automatically make you responsible for the underlying debt. But we need to establish whether Sterling Capital believes you signed it and whether they've attempted to enforce it.””
Grandma looked horrified.
“They can't make her pay for money she never borrowed!””
“That's precisely what we're going to challenge,” Emmett replied.
Bryce sat motionless.
I turned toward him.
“How long have you known?””
He swallowed.
“Since Dad gave me the USB drive.””
“When was that?””
“Last Thursday.””
I stared at him.
“You knew someone could come after me for $310,000, and you waited until today?””
“I was trying to figure out what to do.””
“You were trying to protect yourself.””
He didn't deny it.
Emmett interrupted.
“Let's focus on the evidence. Bryce, did Richard give you the original guarantee agreement?””
Bryce nodded.
He pulled a folded document from the envelope.
Emmett unfolded it carefully.
The first page contained my full legal name, date of birth, and former address.
My stomach tightened.
The signature at the bottom looked almost identical to mine.
Almost.
I leaned forward.
“That's not my signature.””
Emmett studied it.
“Do you recognize the witness?””
I read the name.
*Richard Overstreet.*
My father had supposedly witnessed my signature.
I almost laughed.
“He witnessed himself forging it?””
Nobody answered.
Emmett examined the date.
“November 3, 2020.””
I remembered that day.
I'd been working at a dental clinic in Grand Junction.
I had clocked in at 7:42 a.m. and clocked out at 5:16 p.m.
“I can prove I was at work.””
“Good,” Emmett said.
“We'll request the original employment records.””
Grandma took my hand.
“Your father has put you through enough.””
My phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
I ignored it.
It rang again.
Emmett looked at me.
“Answer it. Put it on speaker.””
I did.
“Hello?””
A man's voice answered.
“Is this Halley Overstreet?””
“Yes.””
“My name is Daniel Mercer. I'm calling from Sterling Capital Partners regarding an outstanding commercial loan.””
Emmett immediately started taking notes.
“What loan?”” I asked.
“Our records indicate that you executed a personal guarantee on November 3, 2020. The primary borrower has defaulted.””
“I never signed anything.””
There was a pause.
“Ma'am, our file contains your signature.””
“Then your file contains a forged signature.””
The man's tone became colder.
“I understand this is upsetting, but we need to discuss the outstanding balance.””
Emmett leaned toward the phone.
“This is attorney Emmett Collins. Any future communication concerning Ms. Overstreet should be directed to my office. We formally dispute the authenticity of the alleged guarantee.””
Daniel paused.
“Understood. I'll make a note.””
Then he added something that made my blood run cold.
“However, we should inform you that the collateral includes a forty-acre property currently recorded under Richard Overstreet's ownership.””
Grandma stood.
“That property belongs to my granddaughter!””
Daniel continued as though he hadn't heard her.
“We're reviewing our options regarding recovery.””
The call ended.
I stared at Emmett.
“Can they take the orchard?””
“Not without resolving the title and guarantee issues. We will move quickly to challenge both.””
He collected the documents.
“I'll contact Sterling Capital's legal department today.””
Bryce suddenly spoke.
“There's something else.””
Everyone turned.
“What now?”” I asked.
He looked miserable.
“Dad told me the company was planning to sell the orchard to a developer. The deal was supposed to close next week.””
Emmett's expression hardened.
“Who is the buyer?””
“Western Ridge Holdings.””
Grandma shook her head.
“Elwood refused their offer years ago.””
Bryce nodded.
“Dad says they're willing to pay $2.4 million.””
I stared at him.
“And he planned to use that money to pay his debts?””
“Most of it.””
Emmett closed the folder.
“Then we need to act before that transaction closes.””
That evening, I returned to the Bluebird Diner.
I had barely stepped behind the counter when Denise approached.
“Halley, there's someone asking for you.””
My stomach tightened.
“Who?””
She pointed toward the last booth.
A man in a dark suit sat alone, holding a leather briefcase.
He stood when he saw me.
“Ms. Overstreet?””
“Yes?””
He handed me a business card.
*Daniel Mercer — Sterling Capital Partners.*
I looked toward Denise.
She immediately stepped closer.
“Is everything okay?””
The man smiled politely.
“I'd prefer to discuss this privately.””
I didn't move.
“You already spoke to my attorney.””
“I'm aware. But I believe we can resolve this matter without unnecessary legal expenses.””
I crossed my arms.
“I'm not negotiating a debt I never borrowed.””
His smile disappeared.
“Your father may have a different perspective.””
He opened his briefcase and removed a photograph.
It showed my father standing beside a commercial building.
Then he placed another photograph on the table.
This one showed me leaving the dental clinic.
My blood turned cold.
“Why do you have that?””
Daniel lowered his voice.
“Because your father told us you were actively involved in the business transaction.””
I stared at him.
“He lied.””
Daniel slid a document across the table.
“Then perhaps you should explain why your signature appears on the guarantee.””
I didn't touch it.
Instead, I picked up my phone.
“I'm calling my attorney.””
For the first time, Daniel looked uncomfortable.
He closed his briefcase.
“Think carefully, Ms. Overstreet. Your father has already made arrangements.””
He walked toward the door.
Before leaving, he turned.
“And if the orchard sale falls through, everyone involved loses.””
I watched him disappear into the parking lot.
Then Denise approached.
“Halley, what was that about?””
I looked at the photographs.
For seven years, I had been paying a debt that wasn't supposed to exist.
Now someone had started watching me because of another debt I had never agreed to.
My phone rang.
Emmett.
I answered immediately.
“Halley, I need you to come to my office tomorrow morning.””
“What happened?””
“We received the original insurance policy records.””
I swallowed.
“And?””
His voice became unusually quiet.
“Your grandfather didn't change the beneficiaries.””
I froze.
“Then who did?””
May you like
Emmett paused.
“Someone submitted a completely different policy document after his death.””
