Chapter 5 - What the Vales Really Owned
After I placed the ring on the cake, Richard reached for the microphone.
“This is a misunderstanding.”
I did not release it.
“No, Richard. Your financial statements are the misunderstanding.”
His face darkened.
Preston moved closer.
“Sophie, whatever you think you know, this is not the place.”
“You made it the place.”
Caroline looked at Elena.
“What does she mean about the boutiques?”
Elena wiped one tear from her cheek.
“You lease three properties from Bennett Commercial Holdings.”
Caroline laughed sharply.
“That company is owned by investors.”
“I am the majority owner.”
The laughter died.
Richard began shaking his head.
“No. I know the landlord.”
“You know the management agent.”
Elena’s voice remained soft.
“You have never met the owner because you never asked.”
Preston stared at me.
“You investigated my family?”
“I was hired before our engagement.”
“You should have told me.”
“You should have disclosed the fraud.”
The nearest tables began whispering.
Richard stepped forward.
“You are violating confidentiality.”
“I have revealed no protected details.”
I looked around the room.
“I only said your fortune is collapsing. Your own missed payments, public liens, and lender notices will explain why soon enough.”
That morning, Elena had authorized default notices on the three boutiques after months of unpaid rent.
May you like
The Vales had used those locations as evidence of stable assets while failing to mention they owned none of them.
Their empire rested partly on buildings belonging to the woman they had just mocked for being unable to afford flowers.
