Chapter 3 - THE FORGED SIGNATURE
David read the document twice.
Then he looked at Vanessa.
“What is this?”
“A transfer agreement.”
“I can see that.”
“You gave me the estate.”
“I was unconscious when this was signed.”
Vanessa folded her arms.
“Your attorney handled everything.”
“My attorney would never do this.”
“Then call him.”
David pulled out his phone.
The cracked screen still worked.
He dialed Martin Hale, the family attorney.
The call connected after three rings.
“David?” Martin sounded nervous. “You’re home?”
“Did you prepare a transfer agreement moving my estate into Vanessa’s name?”
There was a long silence.
Vanessa’s eyes narrowed.
“Martin,” David said, “answer me.”
“I didn’t prepare it.”
Vanessa’s face went white.
David placed the phone on speaker.
Martin continued.
“I received a request from Vanessa’s office, but I refused to process it. I told her the documents were invalid.”
Vanessa stepped forward.
“You’re lying.”
“I’m not lying,” Martin snapped. “I warned you that forging David’s signature could put you in prison.”
Lily stared at Vanessa.
Vanessa’s expression became dangerous.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Martin lowered his voice.
“David, check your bank accounts immediately.”
David opened his banking app.
His balance appeared.
He stared at the screen.
“Where’s the money?”
“What?” Lily asked.
David scrolled through the account history.
The Blackwood family trust had held more than twelve million dollars.
Now it showed less than six hundred dollars.
Several transfers had been made to an offshore account.
All of them required his authorization.
All of them carried his electronic signature.
Vanessa slowly backed away.
David looked at her.
“Where did the money go?”
“You’re confused.”
“Answer me!”
“You were sick. Someone had to protect the family.”
“You stole from me while I was in a coma?”
Vanessa’s eyes filled with sudden tears.
“I saved this family.”
David took one step toward her.
“Who helped you?”
Vanessa said nothing.
From the hallway came the sound of a door closing.
David turned sharply.
May you like
Someone else was inside the house.
CLIFFHANGER: Lily whispered, “Mr. David… the person who helped her is still here.”
