Chapter 7: The Woman Who Signed Her Name
Tessa didn't start the car.
She sat beneath the yellow glow of a parking-lot streetlight, staring at the steering wheel while Marcus's words repeated in her mind.
"Bianca Reynolds was listed as a witness?""
"Yes," Marcus replied.
"Her signature appears beneath the witness declaration on the property security agreement.""
Tessa swallowed.
"Are you certain it's the same Bianca?""
"The document includes her full name and identification details. We haven't confirmed whether the signature is genuine.""
"Could someone have forged hers too?""
"Absolutely. That's why we're requesting the original documents and an independent handwriting examination.""
Tessa looked through the windshield.
She remembered Bianca standing beside Curtis earlier that evening, smiling as he introduced her as the woman who knew how to do business.
She remembered the way Bianca had looked at the loan agreement.
The hesitation.
The fear.
The moment she placed her hand over the paperwork and refused to sign.
"Marcus, what property was used as collateral?""
"The equipment and remaining business assets from the original restaurant. There's also a reference to a commercial property interest.""
Tessa frowned.
"We never owned the building.""
"I know. That's why this is concerning.""
She closed her eyes.
"Whoever prepared that document was trying to make it appear that you had agreed to secure the debt with assets you no longer controlled.""
"Can they take anything from my current restaurants?""
"Not without establishing a valid legal claim. Don't panic. But we need to act quickly.""
Tessa nodded, even though he couldn't see her.
"Send everything to my current attorney too. I want all three businesses protected.""
"I'll handle it.""
After ending the call, Tessa sat for another minute.
Then her phone rang again.
This time, it was Lionel.
"Chef, are you on your way home?""
"Almost. What's wrong?""
"Nothing serious. I just wanted to tell you something.""
"What?""
"Mr. Harris called the restaurant.""
Tessa straightened.
"What did he want?""
"He asked whether you were still there. I told him you'd left.""
"Did he say anything else?""
Lionel hesitated.
"He asked me how long you've owned the three locations.""
Tessa frowned.
"What did you tell him?""
"That you've been operating the first one for almost four years and that the other two opened afterward.""
"Why would he ask that?""
"I don't know. But he sounded angry.""
Tessa looked at the document Marcus had emailed.
"Thank you, Lionel. Don't give him any information about our operations or finances.""
"Understood, Chef.""
She ended the call.
Meanwhile, Curtis was standing in his restaurant's office, pacing between a desk and a wall covered in framed photographs.
The pictures showed him shaking hands with contractors, inspecting the kitchen, and posing beside Bianca during the renovation.
He had chosen each one carefully.
They were supposed to tell a story of success.
Now they looked like evidence of a performance.
His phone rang.
"Marcus," Curtis answered.
"Mr. Harris, we need to speak.""
"About what?""
"The lender wants to know who prepared the property security agreement.""
Curtis rubbed his forehead.
"I told you. I don't remember.""
"That's not acceptable.""
"Marcus, those papers are four years old.""
"One of them is dated eleven months after your divorce.""
Curtis stopped pacing.
"What?""
"The property security agreement. It was submitted eleven months after the divorce was finalized.""
Curtis looked toward the office door.
"That date must be wrong.""
"The lender's records show the document was received on that date.""
He lowered his voice.
"Can we just settle the balance?""
"That's not the point. The issue is whether the documents were properly executed.""
Curtis gripped the phone.
"Listen. I have a new business opening. I don't need an old financial problem becoming public.""
"Then you should cooperate.""
The call ended.
Curtis stared at the screen.
A moment later, the office door opened.
Bianca walked in.
She had returned for her car keys, which she had left on the reception desk.
Curtis immediately straightened.
"Baby.""
"Don't.""
"Can we talk?""
"I came for my keys.""
He pointed toward the desk.
"They're right there.""
Bianca picked them up.
Then she noticed a document lying beside Curtis's laptop.
The title caught her attention.
*PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT.*
She stepped closer.
"What's that?""
Curtis immediately placed his hand over it.
"Nothing.""
Bianca looked at him.
"Move your hand.""
"Bianca—"
"Move it.""
He hesitated, then stepped back.
She picked up the paper.
Her eyes moved down the page.
The old restaurant's name appeared near the top.
Then Tessa's name.
Then her own.
She looked at the witness declaration.
Her stomach tightened.
"This is my signature.""
Curtis said nothing.
Bianca stared at the date.
"Four years ago?""
He nodded slowly.
"Yes.""
"I remember signing something at your office.""
Curtis looked at her.
"You remember?""
"Yes. You said it was a routine confirmation that the restaurant equipment had been transferred.""
He swallowed.
"That's what it was.""
Bianca turned the page.
"This says I witnessed Tessa agreeing to use her property as collateral.""
Curtis stepped closer.
"Those were legal documents. You didn't need to understand every detail.""
Bianca looked up sharply.
"Excuse me?""
"You were helping me. I told you what to sign.""
"Where was Tessa?""
"She wasn't there.""
"Then how could I witness her signing?""
Curtis didn't answer.
Bianca's fingers began to tremble.
"Did you forge her signature?""
"Keep your voice down.""
"Did you?""
He glanced at the office door.
"Things were complicated.""
Bianca took a step backward.
"Oh my God.""
"Bianca, listen.""
"No. You listen to me.""
She placed the document on the desk.
"You told me you were just getting the equipment released. You said the papers were administrative.""
"I was under pressure.""
"You used my signature as a witness to something I never saw.""
"I didn't think it would matter.""
Bianca stared at him.
"Did you know what you were doing?""
Curtis looked at the floor.
"I needed the loan.""
"Did you use Tessa's name without her permission?""
He remained silent.
That silence answered more than he intended.
Bianca slowly picked up her keys.
"You're going to need a lawyer.""
"I already have one.""
"Then you'd better tell him everything.""
Curtis grabbed her arm.
"Don't walk away from me.""
She pulled free.
"Don't touch me.""
For several seconds, they stared at each other.
Then Bianca walked out.
Curtis remained beside the desk.
His phone vibrated again.
This time, the message came from an unfamiliar number.
**Mr. Harris, this is the lender's legal representative. We have placed the disputed guarantee and security agreement under review.
Please preserve all original business records. Further instructions will follow.**
Curtis sat down heavily.
He had wanted to make Tessa look like a failure.
Instead, he had reminded everyone that she was the person who had kept the old restaurant running while he quietly dismantled its finances.
And now Bianca knew that she had been used in the process.
But Curtis still had one secret left.
One he hadn't told Marcus.
One he hadn't told Bianca.
The money from the old restaurant hadn't all gone to gambling.
A portion had gone into an account that still existed.
May you like
An account he had planned to use to save his new business.
And the person who had helped him open it was about to become the most important witness in the entire case.
