Chapter 9 - THE DEAD MAN'S APPROVAL
The emails were devastating.
Thomas Reed had been communicating with Adrian for months.
They discussed financial pressure.
Asset transfers.
A potential buyer.
And a plan to use outdated corporate documents to create the appearance of authorization.
One message stood out.
Thomas had written:
Once Harrison is gone, the trust transition will create confusion. We need to move before Elise understands the structure.
I stared at the screen.
My hands went cold.
Margaret read it twice.
Then looked at me.
“Elise, this is serious.”
I nodded.
The proposed buyer was a private investment group.
Its name appeared repeatedly.
NORTHBRIDGE CAPITAL PARTNERS.
I had never heard of it.
But Margaret had.
She frowned.
“Northbridge has been involved in several distressed hospitality acquisitions.”
I stared.
“What does that mean?”
“It buys companies or properties under financial pressure.”
I looked at the emails.
“And they wanted Vale Harbor?”
Margaret nodded.
“At a steep discount.”
The plan was complicated.
But the objective was simple.
Create enough financial pressure around MorganWell.
Use the proposed partnership to connect MorganWell's liabilities to Vale Harbor.
Then push for asset sales that would benefit Northbridge.
I stared at the documents.
“Adrian was willing to risk my father's company to save his own.”
Margaret nodded.
“It appears so.”
I looked toward the window.
Then asked:
“Can we stop it?”
Margaret's expression hardened.
“We can stop the transaction. We also need to notify the appropriate authorities and preserve the evidence.”
I nodded.
“Do it.”
That evening, I received a call from an unfamiliar number.
I answered.
“Hello?”
A man's voice spoke.
“Mrs. Morgan.”
I frowned.
“Who is this?”
“Someone who knew your father.”
I sat up.
“What do you want?”
The man paused.
Then said:
“You're looking at the wrong betrayal.”
My stomach tightened.
“What?”
He continued.
“Adrian was greedy. Thomas was ambitious.”
I gripped the phone.
“And?”
The man lowered his voice.
May you like
“But neither of them was the person your father feared most.”
The line went dead.
Related Stories
