CHAPTER 4: THE SIGNATURES
Lauren was admitted to Sterling Memorial Hospital shortly after midnight.
The hospital carried Alexander’s family name because his grandfather had donated the original building.
Yet Lauren had been afraid to seek treatment there.
She had believed Victoria’s influence reached every doctor, administrator, and security guard.
Alexander arranged a private room and ordered the hospital’s chief physician to supervise her care.
Initial tests showed a severe lung infection worsened by prolonged mold exposure, malnutrition, and exhaustion.
She would recover, but only because Sophia had led Alexander to her in time.
While Sophia slept curled in a chair beside her mother’s bed, Alexander stood in the hallway with Marcus.
“I need every transfer record from the past three years,” Alexander said. “Every bank authorization, internal memo, and account connected to Sophia.”
Marcus nodded.
“I’ll have the finance team start immediately.”
“Not the regular team.”
Marcus understood.
“You think someone inside the company helped your mother.”
“I know someone did.”
Alexander looked through the glass door at Lauren.
“Find people who answer only to me.”
By dawn, Marcus returned with the first report.
The monthly payments had left Alexander’s personal account exactly as he remembered.
But they had not entered an account belonging to Lauren.
They had been deposited into a holding company called Sable Ridge Consulting.
Alexander had never heard of it.
The company’s listed director was a seventy-nine-year-old retiree living in Florida.
Its business address belonged to a mailbox rental service in Delaware.
Marcus placed several authorization forms on the table.
“They carry your electronic signature.”
Alexander examined them.
“They’re fake.”
“The authentication codes came from your executive office.”
“Who had access?”
“Your former assistant, Elaine Porter.”
Alexander remembered Elaine.
She had worked for him during the divorce.
After Lauren disappeared, Elaine abruptly resigned and moved to Europe.
“Find her.”
“I already started.”
Marcus handed him another document.
“This may be more serious.”
It was a copy of the custody agreement Victoria had referenced.
The document stated that Lauren had voluntarily surrendered all claims to Sterling family assets in exchange for sole custody of Sophia.
Alexander’s signature appeared at the bottom.
So did Lauren’s.
Neither was real.
But a third signature was familiar.
Nathan Cole had notarized the agreement.
Alexander’s jaw tightened.
His phone rang.
Victoria’s name appeared on the screen.
He answered without speaking.
“Alexander,” she said, “we need to discuss what happened tonight.”
“No. You need to answer questions.”
“I understand you’re emotional.”
“My daughter was hungry.”
“I sent money to Lauren.”
“You’re lying.”
A pause followed.
Then Victoria sighed.
“You have always been too trusting where that woman is concerned.”
“Do not call her that woman.”
“She manipulated you from the moment you met.”
Alexander looked at the forged papers.
“You told me Lauren left me.”
“She did.”
“You told Lauren I abandoned her.”
Silence.
“You created letters in my name. You blocked her calls. You forged custody documents.”
“That is an outrageous accusation.”
“I have the bank records.”
Victoria’s breathing changed.
Alexander continued.
“The payments went into Sable Ridge Consulting. Do you know what I find interesting? Nathan Cole helped establish that company.”
Victoria recovered quickly.
“Then speak to Nathan.”
“I will.”
“You are making a mistake.”
“No, Mother. My mistake was believing you.”
Her voice sharpened.
“Everything I did was to protect you.”
“From my wife? From my child?”
“From losing what your father built.”
Alexander looked toward Sophia.
“What does my father’s company have to do with Lauren?”
Victoria did not answer.
And in that silence, Alexander heard the first crack in the secret.
“Mother?”
The call ended.
Alexander stared at the dark screen.
May you like
Then he turned to Marcus.
“Find my father’s original will.”
