Chapter 5 - THE SISTER WHO SOLD HER NAME
Victoria was having breakfast when Audrey entered the dining room.
Charles sat at the head of the table reading financial news.
Preston Hayes was beside Victoria.
Audrey stopped.
She hadn't expected him.
Preston smiled.
"Audrey. Good morning."
She looked at him.
"Preston."
Victoria rolled her eyes.
"Don't look so miserable. Some of us have reasons to celebrate."
Audrey sat down.
"Such as?"
Victoria lifted her left hand.
A diamond ring glittered beneath the chandelier.
Preston smiled.
"We're engaged."
Charles laughed.
"Wonderful news!"
Audrey stared at the ring.
Then at Preston.
He looked relaxed.
Confident.
Untouchable.
She wondered how much of that confidence came from believing she would never discover Northstar.
"Congratulations," she said.
Victoria smiled triumphantly.
"Thank you, darling."
Audrey took a breath.
"Preston, can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Have you ever heard of Northstar Harbor Development?"
His smile didn't disappear.
But his fingers stopped moving.
Victoria looked up sharply.
"What?"
Audrey watched Preston.
"Northstar Harbor Development."
He set down his coffee.
"Why do you ask?"
"Because someone used my credentials to authorize transfers to it."
Silence.
Charles lowered his newspaper.
Victoria's face went pale.
Preston leaned back.
"That sounds like an internal accounting matter."
Audrey nodded slowly.
"Perhaps."
Then she looked at Victoria.
"Did you know your name appears on its ownership documents?"
Victoria stood.
"That's ridiculous."
Audrey didn't move.
"Is it?"
Preston rose.
"Audrey, I think we should discuss this privately."
She looked at him.
"Why?"
He smiled.
"Because you're making serious accusations."
"I'm asking questions."
His expression hardened.
Charles slammed his newspaper onto the table.
"Enough!"
Audrey turned.
Her father was furious.
"Your sister is engaged. Don't ruin this morning with your spreadsheets."
Audrey stared at him.
"Forty-two million dollars is missing."
Charles went still.
Victoria whispered:
"Daddy."
Audrey looked between them.
Then understood.
They knew.
All three of them.
Her father.
Her sister.
Preston.
They had known while she worked until dawn trying to save the family.
They had known while creditors threatened lawsuits.
They had known while Victoria mocked her for being useful only with numbers.
Audrey stood.
"I need the truth."
Charles's face hardened.
"You need to remember your place."
She stared.
Then quietly said:
"I think I've finally remembered it."
She turned and walked away.
Behind her, Preston spoke.
"Charles, we have a problem."
May you like
Audrey kept walking.
For once, she wasn't going to fix it for them.
