Chapter 4: The Signature That Could Destroy Him
Daniel stood frozen with his phone pressed against his ear.
Olivia watched his expression carefully.
The man who had walked through the terminal with his arm around another woman was now struggling to remain upright.
"That's impossible," Daniel said.
A pause.
"No. I said that's impossible.""
Another pause.
His fingers tightened around the phone.
"Who gave you that document?""
Olivia shifted her son against her shoulder. The baby made a soft noise, then settled beneath the cream blanket.
Claire folded her arms.
"Daniel, what's happening?""
He raised one finger toward her, demanding silence.
Olivia almost smiled.
He still believed he could control the room.
"You're telling me the transfer was submitted three months ago?"" Daniel asked.
He listened.
"With Olivia's signature?""
His eyes moved toward his wife.
Olivia didn't blink.
"That signature is legitimate," he said suddenly.
"I personally witnessed it.""
Olivia's expression changed.
Only slightly.
But Daniel noticed.
She took a slow breath.
"Interesting.""
He covered the phone.
"Don't.""
"Don't what?""
"Don't say anything.""
Olivia glanced at the babies.
"You seem very concerned about what I say today.""
Daniel turned away.
"Listen, I need you to put this on hold. Immediately.""
The chairman's voice became louder through the phone.
Daniel's face tightened.
Then the call ended.
For several seconds, he simply stared at the screen.
Claire stepped closer.
"Tell me what happened.""
Daniel shoved the phone into his pocket.
"Nothing that concerns you.""
Claire laughed once, without humor.
"That's what you told me about your wife.""
"Claire, not now.""
"You said she was just a housewife.""
Olivia looked at her.
Claire continued.
"You said she had no idea how the business worked. You told me you were waiting for the right moment to divorce her.""
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
"I was trying to protect you.""
"From what?""
He didn't answer.
Olivia finally spoke.
"From the truth, apparently.""
Daniel turned toward her.
"Can you stop?""
Olivia's voice remained calm.
"No.""
The word was quiet.
But it was final.
Daniel stepped closer.
"Olivia, that document was part of a restructuring agreement. You signed it.""
"I signed the original trust authorization.""
"Exactly.""
"Not the transfer agreement.""
His jaw tightened.
"You don't understand the difference.""
Olivia looked at him for a long moment.
Then she asked, "Do you remember the day we bought our first house?""
Daniel frowned.
"What does that have to do with anything?""
"You told me you wanted everything in both our names because you never wanted me to feel financially trapped.""
"Olivia—"
"You said marriage meant partnership.""
He glanced around the terminal.
"Can we not do this here?""
She continued as though he hadn't spoken.
"Your father agreed. He put the controlling shares into the family trust. He wanted someone who wasn't involved in the daily business to protect the family's interests.""
Daniel's face hardened.
"That was years ago.""
"Yes. And the documents still exist.""
Claire looked at him.
"You told me you owned the company outright.""
Daniel's eyes flashed.
"I practically run it.""
"That's not what I asked.""
He turned toward her.
"Claire, you knew I had a complicated situation.""
"I knew you were married. You said the separation was already arranged.""
Olivia looked down at her daughter.
The pink hat had slipped slightly to one side.
She adjusted it with her thumb.
Daniel watched her.
"You're enjoying this.""
Olivia raised her eyes.
"No. I'm holding two babies while trying to understand how their father became someone I don't recognize.""
He looked away.
A moment later, his phone vibrated again.
This time, he didn't answer immediately.
The screen displayed a message from the chairman.
*We have reviewed the original authorization and the submitted transfer. The signature discrepancy has been referred to forensic examination. Do not contact any employees about this matter.*
Daniel read it twice.
Then he whispered, "No.""
Olivia noticed his reaction.
"What did you submit?""
He locked the screen.
"Nothing.""
"Daniel.""
"I said nothing.""
Claire stepped forward.
"Show me.""
He pulled the phone away.
"Stay out of this.""
She stared at him.
"You brought me into it.""
Daniel's mouth opened.
No words came.
Olivia watched him carefully.
There was something worse than the affair.
Something that had happened long before the cruise.
Something he had apparently believed he could bury beneath paperwork and expensive vacations.
"Daniel," Olivia said, "did you use my name to authorize the transfer?""
He stared at her.
"You're making accusations you can't prove.""
"I asked a question.""
He looked toward the glass entrance again.
For a moment, the confidence returned to his face.
"Even if something was filed incorrectly, we can fix it. You're my wife. You can withdraw whatever complaint you've made.""
Olivia shook her head.
"That's not how this works.""
"It can be.""
"No.""
His voice dropped.
"Think about the children.""
Olivia's arms tightened around the twins.
"I am.""
"Then stop.""
She looked directly into his eyes.
"You should have thought about them before you used their mother's identity to protect your own money.""
Daniel went completely still.
Claire slowly turned toward him.
"Daniel...""
He closed his eyes.
And just then, a new email notification appeared on Olivia's phone.
It was from the independent trustee.
The subject line contained only six words:
*WE FOUND THE ORIGINAL RECORDING.*
Olivia read it.
Then she looked at Daniel.
For the first time that afternoon, she knew exactly what had made him so afraid.
Because the document wasn't the only thing he had forged.
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He had also recorded the conversation he believed would protect him.
And the recording had captured something he never intended anyone else to hear.
