Chapter 5: The Signature That Wasn't Mine
Victoria stared at the document.
Her signature appeared beneath a paragraph authorizing the transfer of certain financial interests into a newly established company.
The company was called Sterling Meridian Group.
She had never heard of it.
"That's my signature," she whispered.
Robert nodded.
"Yes.""
"But I never signed this.""
"That's what I suspected.""
Victoria looked closer.
The date was three weeks before the wedding.
She remembered that day.
Daniel had invited her to a private restaurant, claiming he wanted to discuss their financial future.
He had brought several documents.
He told her they were routine.
She had signed a few pages without reading them carefully.
But this signature was different.
It was attached to a document she had never seen.
"How did you get this?""
Robert closed the briefcase.
"An attorney discovered it while examining Daniel's previous transactions.""
Victoria's breathing quickened.
"What does it authorize?""
"Your name to be used as a controlling officer of Sterling Meridian Group.""
"Why?""
"Because the company was created to receive assets from several family trusts.""
Victoria looked horrified.
"You're saying he used my identity?""
"I'm saying he may have.""
She pushed the document away.
"I didn't know.""
Robert studied her.
"I believe you.""
Victoria looked up.
"Why?""
"Because Claire said the same thing.""
Victoria's eyes filled.
"Did she know what Daniel was doing?""
"Eventually.""
Robert sat down.
"Claire discovered suspicious transactions shortly before their wedding. She confronted Daniel. He told her she was confused and that her father was trying to control her.""
Victoria listened without moving.
"He isolated her from her family. He convinced her that everyone around her was jealous of their relationship. By the time she realized the truth, several documents had already been filed.""
Robert's voice cracked.
"My daughter called me the night she disappeared. She said she had proof.""
"What happened?""
"Daniel arrived at her apartment before I could get there.""
Robert looked away.
"That was the last time I heard her voice.""
Victoria covered her mouth.
For the first time, she understood why Eleanor had looked at her with such sadness.
Eleanor hadn't simply disliked her.
She had recognized the pattern.
She had seen the same trap closing around another woman.
A phone vibrated.
Victoria looked down.
A message from Daniel.
*Where are you?*
Another appeared.
*I know you met Robert Morgan.*
Her blood turned cold.
A third message followed.
*You need to come downstairs. We have unfinished business.*
Robert saw her expression.
"What is it?""
"Daniel knows I'm here.""
Robert immediately stood.
"Then we're leaving.""
But before they could reach the door, it opened.
Daniel stood outside.
His navy suit was immaculate. His hair was perfectly styled, and a silver watch gleamed beneath his cuff.
He smiled as though nothing had happened.
"Victoria.""
She stepped backward.
"Stay away from me.""
Daniel glanced at Robert.
"Mr. Morgan. Still chasing ghosts?""
Robert moved between him and Victoria.
"Where is my daughter?""
Daniel shrugged.
"I have no idea.""
"You told me she was dead.""
"I told you she disappeared.""
"You lied.""
Daniel smiled faintly.
"Careful. Accusations can become expensive.""
Robert's fists clenched.
Victoria stepped forward.
"Why did you put my signature on that document?""
Daniel's smile faded.
"Because you signed it.""
"Not that page.""
"Does it matter?""
Victoria stared at him.
"You used me.""
Daniel sighed.
"I gave you an opportunity.""
"To steal Marcus's money?""
"To secure your future.""
"My future?""
He looked around the lounge.
"Victoria, let's be honest. You wanted a wealthy husband. Marcus wanted a beautiful wife. I simply helped both of you get what you wanted.""
She slapped him.
The sound echoed through the room.
Daniel slowly turned his head back.
For a moment, his expression was frighteningly empty.
Then he smiled.
"That was a mistake.""
Robert reached for his phone.
"Security is on its way.""
Daniel adjusted his cuff.
"Wonderful. Perhaps we can all have a conversation.""
He looked at Victoria.
"Come with me.""
"No.""
"Your mother is waiting.""
Victoria froze.
"What?""
Daniel took out his phone.
He showed her a photograph.
Margaret was sitting in the passenger seat of a black car.
Her hands were visible.
She looked frightened.
Under the photograph was a message.
*Your mother and I need to discuss the documents. Come alone.*
Victoria's heart pounded.
"Where is she?""
Daniel put the phone away.
"Somewhere safe.""
Robert stepped closer.
"If you've touched her—"
Daniel interrupted him.
"Mr. Morgan, I would suggest you stay out of this.""
He looked at Victoria again.
"Ten minutes. Parking garage. Level three.""
Then he walked away.
Victoria immediately called her mother.
No answer.
She called again.
Still nothing.
Robert took her arm.
"Don't go alone.""
"He's threatening her.""
"I know.""
"What if he hurts her?""
Robert looked at the photographs inside his briefcase.
"Then we make sure he doesn't get the opportunity.""
They contacted hotel security and provided Daniel's photograph.
Robert also called the attorney who had been working with Eleanor.
Within minutes, the attorney arrived with two security officers.
But there was one problem.
Daniel had already left the hotel.
And Margaret's car was gone.
Victoria stood in the parking garage, staring at the empty space where the black vehicle had been photographed.
Her phone vibrated.
A new message appeared.
*Your mother is fine. For now.*
Then another.
*Bring the original Hayes trust file.*
Victoria looked at Robert.
"He wants Eleanor's documents.""
Robert nodded.
"Then he knows they're dangerous.""
A third message appeared.
*You have thirty minutes. Otherwise, your mother pays for your little act of courage.*
Victoria began crying.
"I can't lose her.""
Robert placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Listen to me. Daniel has done this before. He wants you frightened because frightened people make mistakes.""
Victoria wiped her face.
"What do we do?""
Robert looked toward the garage exit.
"We give him what he thinks he wants.""
Across town, Marcus sat in Eleanor's kitchen.
His tuxedo jacket was draped over a chair.
The wedding ring lay on the table between them.
He hadn't spoken much since leaving the hotel.
Eleanor placed a cup of tea in front of him.
"Drink something, darling.""
He stared at the ring.
"I thought I knew her.""
Eleanor sat opposite him.
"Sometimes people show us exactly who they are. We just hope we're wrong.""
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
"Why didn't I see it?""
"Because you loved her.""
He looked at his mother.
"Did you know about Daniel?""
Eleanor hesitated.
"I suspected something.""
Marcus looked up sharply.
"Mom?""
"I didn't want to accuse anyone without evidence.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I knew you would defend her.""
He leaned back.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Eleanor's phone rang.
She answered.
"Hello?""
A man's voice came through.
It was Robert Morgan.
"Eleanor, we have a serious problem.""
Her expression changed.
"What happened?""
"Daniel has taken Margaret Collins.""
Eleanor stood immediately.
"Where is Victoria?""
"She's with us. But Daniel wants the original trust file.""
Eleanor looked at Marcus.
"Stay there. I'm coming.""
Marcus rose.
"Mom, what's happening?""
She picked up her coat.
"Something your father warned me about years ago.""
She paused at the doorway.
"Your wedding wasn't the beginning of this, Marcus.""
May you like
Then she delivered the sentence that made him go completely still.
"Daniel Bennett has been trying to get inside our family for almost fifteen years.""
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