Chapter 2 - The Million-Dollar Settlement Lie
The phone screen illuminated against the darkening afternoon sky.
Theresa and Brianna watched my hands, expecting me to dial 911 or call an attorney. Instead, I tapped the speaker button and brought up a forged international wire transfer confirmation from the Alberta Industrial Safety Board that my union rep had sent me as a template weeks earlier for shop insurance claims.
I looked up from the screen, letting out a heavy, calculated sigh.
"I didn't come back just because of the shop shutdown," I said, my voice eerily calm, smooth, and devoid of the rage screaming inside my ribs.
Theresa frowned, her sharp eyes darting from my face to the glowing phone. "What are you talking about, Nathan?"
"Three weeks ago," I began, looking out toward the driveway where her brand-new SUV sat parked, "there was a catastrophic hydraulic failure on the main casting line in Calgary. A high-pressure steam valve ruptured. Two supervisors were injured. As the senior line welder who shut off the main manifold and saved the facility from exploding, the corporate holding group settled out of court to avoid federal workplace litigation."
Brianna took a step closer, her eyes glittering with instant, predatory curiosity. "A settlement? How much?"
I held up the phone just far enough for them to see the seven-digit figure stamped across the header.
"One million two hundred and fifty thousand Canadian dollars," I said evenly. "Cleared in escrow. Roughly one million US dollars after cross-border conversion."
Theresa gasped, clutching her throat, her hand slipping right off the stolen hummingbird pendant. Brianna’s jaw fell open, her wine-stained lips parting in sheer, breathless greed.
"One... one million dollars?" Theresa stammered, her voice shifting in a single second from cruel venom to nauseating, honey-sweet affection. "Oh, Nathan... my hardworking boy! I knew God was watching over our family! You sacrificed so much for us!"
Brianna rushed forward, trying to grab my arm with a wide, manic grin. "Nathan! That's incredible! Do you know what we could do with that kind of capital? We could expand my nail salon into three franchises across the county! We could buy the commercial lot on Main Street!"
I gently pulled my arm away, stepping between them and Lucy.
"The funds are currently sitting in my international escrow account in Toronto," I explained calmly. "The Canadian banking commission requires a designated domestic financial trustee and a primary co-signer before the wire can be finalized to a local bank. I was planning to sign the authorization tomorrow morning."
Theresa immediately puffed out her chest, smoothing down her designer blouse. "Well, of course! You send it directly to my account, just like before, Nathan! I’ve always managed the family finances! I’ll ensure every penny is invested properly!"
I looked at my mother, then at my sister, feeling a cold, righteous trap snapping shut around their necks.
May you like
"I need to take Lucy to the emergency clinic first," I said. "Once she’s checked in, we’ll come back and sign the financial trust agreements."
Theresa waved her hand dismissively, suddenly all smiles. "Take her! Of course, take her! Get her whatever vitamins she needs! Then come straight home, Nathan. We have a million dollars to celebrate!"
