Chapter 4: The Money Behind the Dream
Devon looked as though someone had pulled the floor out from beneath him.
Robert Harris placed the folder on the reception table and turned it toward Renee.
“Before anyone makes another accusation,” he said calmly, “I want Mrs. Carter to understand exactly what this document represents.””
Renee stepped closer.
Her fingers trembled as she looked at the heading.
*ORIGINAL BUSINESS CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION AND PROPERTY OWNERSHIP RECORD.*
Below it was a list of financial contributions made during the purchase and renovation of the property.
Devon's name appeared first.
Then Renee's.
But it was the amount beside her name that made her stop breathing for a moment.
$48,500.
Renee stared at the number.
“That can't be right.””
Robert adjusted his glasses.
“It is correct. The funds came from your personal savings account, transferred in three separate payments over a period of six months.””
Devon immediately interrupted.
“Robert, that's not necessary.””
Robert didn't look at him.
“It's very necessary, Mr. Carter.””
Renee looked at her husband.
“You told me that money was going into our emergency savings.””
Devon shifted uncomfortably.
“We discussed using it for the business.””
“No. You told me you needed temporary access to it because the equipment supplier required a deposit.””
“I was going to replace it.””
“When?””
Devon rubbed his forehead.
“Renee, don't turn this into something it isn't.””
She pointed at the document.
“Forty-eight thousand five hundred dollars is something, Devon.””
Celeste slowly lowered herself into a nearby chair.
She looked at the paperwork again.
“Devon, you told me the initial investment came from your savings.””
He didn't answer.
Robert turned another page.
“The original purchase agreement identifies both parties as contributors. The business registration also reflects their respective ownership interests.””
Renee leaned forward.
“Both parties?””
“Yes. You and your husband.””
Robert pointed to the ownership section.
“Your financial contribution and the supporting agreements established your interest in the business. The proposed transfer document Celeste presented cannot simply erase that interest.””
Devon folded his arms.
“It's a draft. Nobody has transferred anything.””
Robert nodded.
“Correct. But a draft is not the same as an agreement, and a preliminary signature does not establish that Mrs. Carter consented to relinquish her rights.””
Renee looked at the document again.
“Why does my signature appear on the transfer paperwork?””
Robert paused.
“That's one of the reasons I came here.””
He removed a second sheet.
“This is the original signature we have on file from your ownership agreement.””
He placed it beside the proposed transfer.
Renee examined both.
At first glance, they looked similar.
But something was wrong.
Her signature on the transfer document was unusually narrow. The final letter of her surname was missing its familiar curved stroke.
Renee touched the page.
“I didn't sign this.””
Devon immediately stepped forward.
“Of course you did. You signed several documents when we were setting everything up.””
Renee shook her head.
“Not this one.””
Robert looked at Devon.
“Then perhaps you can explain why the transfer document was submitted with an electronic signature authorization that does not match the original signing instructions.””
Devon's jaw tightened.
Celeste turned toward him.
“You told me she approved it.””
“She did.””
“Then why is the attorney questioning it?””
“Because he's being overly cautious.””
Robert closed the folder halfway.
“I'm not questioning anything. I'm explaining what the records show.””
Renee looked at the attorney.
“What happens now?””
“Nothing should be signed until the documents have been independently reviewed. I also recommend preserving all communications concerning the proposed transfer.””
Devon let out an irritated breath.
“This is ridiculous. It's my business.””
Robert looked directly at him.
“Your business is not the same thing as your business alone.””
Several guests exchanged glances.
Paula quietly picked up a stack of napkins and began rearranging them for the third time.
Celeste stood.
“Devon, you told me Renee was only helping with the early expenses.””
Renee turned toward her.
“Only helping?””
Celeste looked uncomfortable.
“You said she contributed some money when things were difficult, but that it was basically a loan.””
Renee stared at Devon.
“A loan?””
Devon remained silent.
Renee remembered the nights she had spent calculating household expenses.
She remembered postponing dental appointments, buying discounted groceries, and working extra shifts because Devon insisted the shop was their future.
She had never treated the money as a loan.
She had treated it as an investment in the family they were building.
Robert closed the folder.
“Mrs. Carter, I have another document that may be important.””
He removed a bank confirmation sheet.
“This is the original transfer record for the property deposit.””
Renee looked down.
Her account number was partially concealed, but the transaction date was clear.
She remembered that day.
She had been sitting in a hospital waiting room with Devon's mother when he called asking whether she could release the money.
He had promised that everything would be in both their names.
And it had been.
Until now.
“Why did you change the ownership arrangement?”” Renee asked.
Devon finally looked at her.
“Because things changed.””
“What changed?””
“You changed. The baby changed everything. The business needs someone who can focus on it.””
Renee's lips parted.
“So you decided to remove me?””
“I was trying to make the business work.””
She looked at him for several seconds.
Then she spoke quietly.
“I was trying to make our family work.””
Devon looked away.
Celeste picked up the transfer document.
“Devon, I need you to explain something.””
He turned toward her.
“What now?””
“You told me the property would be transferred into our names after the opening.””
Renee's head snapped toward her.
“Our names?””
Celeste looked at Renee.
Then back at Devon.
“You said once the paperwork was completed, we'd both have equal control.””
Robert's expression changed.
“Equal control?””
He reopened the folder.
“That's interesting. The proposed transfer document does not grant Celeste equal ownership. It grants her a controlling interest.””
Celeste's face went pale.
“What?””
Robert turned the page so she could read it.
Devon stepped forward.
“That's a technical arrangement.””
Celeste looked at him.
“You said we were partners.””
“We are.””
“Then why would you give me less than you promised?””
Devon raised his voice.
“Because I was handling the paperwork!””
Celeste slowly put the document down.
For the first time that morning, the two people who had arrived together were no longer standing on the same side.
Renee watched them argue.
She didn't feel victorious.
She felt exhausted.
Then Robert reached into his briefcase and removed a small sealed envelope.
“There is one more matter,” he said.
Devon immediately stiffened.
“Robert, don't.””
The attorney looked at Renee.
“This was delivered to my office three days ago. It concerns a separate financial arrangement connected to the shop.””
Renee accepted the envelope.
Her name was written across the front.
She carefully opened it.
Inside was a printed copy of a personal guarantee.
And beneath the amount of $72,000 was a signature she recognized immediately.
Her husband's.
But the date was from two weeks earlier.
Renee looked up.
“Devon, what is this?””
He didn't answer.
Robert spoke instead.
“Your husband used the business as security for an additional loan.””
Renee looked at the amount again.
Then at the signature.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
Devon swallowed.
“Because I was going to fix it.””
Robert's voice became firmer.
“There's a problem, Mr. Carter. The lender has also listed Mrs. Carter as a potential guarantor based on information submitted with the application.””
Renee felt her stomach tighten.
“What?””
Robert nodded.
“Which means we need to determine whether your information and authorization were used without your knowledge.””
Devon looked at the floor.
Renee stared at him.
For the first time that morning, she wasn't thinking about Celeste.
She was thinking about the possibility that her husband had placed their unborn child's future at risk.
May you like
And then Robert added one final sentence.
“Mrs. Carter, I strongly recommend that you check your bank account before the end of today.””
