Chapter 12 - THE GIRL WHO FINALLY STOPPED LAUGHING
Beatrice came to Crownline headquarters two days later wearing jeans, sunglasses, and no jewelry.
Reception called upstairs.
Maya almost said no.
Then she remembered Rosa’s land papers.
“Put her in the small conference room.”
Adrian sat beside Maya when Beatrice entered.
She looked at him.
“Can we talk privately?”
“No,” Maya said.
Beatrice removed her sunglasses.
Without the red dress and the audience, she looked exhausted.
“My father says you’re trying to destroy us.”
“Your father tried to send someone to my mother’s house.”
“I didn’t know about that.”
“Did you know about the payroll?”
Beatrice stared at the table.
“I knew there were deductions.”
“The fake loans?”
“I didn’t know they were fake.”
“Did you ask?”
Silence.
Maya let it stay.
Finally, Beatrice reached into her bag.
Adrian raised a hand.
“What are you taking out?”
“A phone.”
She placed it on the table.
“My old one. The family business messages are still on it.”
“Why bring it here?” Maya asked.
Beatrice’s voice cracked.
“Because he’s saying it was all me.”
For the first time, Maya saw fear without performance.
“He says I ran the resort. I approved the payroll. I handled security.”
“Did you?”
“I signed things.”
“Then those things matter.”
Beatrice looked up sharply.
“I came to help you.”
“And I’m not going to promise you immunity I can’t give.”
Adrian slid a card across the table.
“You need your own lawyer. This firm isn’t connected to us. You can choose anyone.”
Beatrice didn’t touch it.
“I was awful to you.”
“Yes.”
“I know an apology doesn’t—”
“Then don’t use one to get to the part where I make you feel better.”
Tears slipped down Beatrice’s face.
Maya felt no satisfaction.
That surprised her.
Beatrice took a breath.
“The reunion was Dad’s idea.”
Maya went still.
“He knew Crownline was reviewing the deal. He wanted to get you angry in public. Make you look unstable before the vote.”
“And the invitation?”
“I wrote it.”
“The champagne?”
“That was me.”
“The screen?”
Beatrice nodded.
Maya looked away for a moment.
At least she wasn’t pretending every cruelty belonged to her father.
Beatrice pushed the phone closer.
“There are messages about your mother. The old hotel. A man named Bell.”
“Marcus?”
“I think so.”
Adrian stood.
“Don’t unlock anything yet. We need to handle this properly.”
Beatrice looked at Maya.
“There’s something else.”
“What?”
“My father’s leaving tonight.”
May you like
Then she swallowed.
“And he’s taking the original property files with him.”
