Chapter 9 - THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ANNIVERSARY NIGHT
The forensic review uncovered a detail that changed the investigation.
The Bellwether transaction had been scheduled for approval three days after the anniversary gala.
The documents required Rosalind's signature.
But a preliminary version already contained an electronic acknowledgment under her name.
Rosalind stared at the screen.
“I never approved this.”
Gideon nodded.
“We know.”
Beckett leaned forward.
“The approval came through an administrative account.”
Rosalind looked at him.
“Whose?”
He hesitated.
“An account managed by Halden's office.”
The implications were serious.
Someone had attempted to create the appearance of Rosalind's consent.
Then another discovery emerged.
Sloane had been told that Rosalind planned to sign the documents at the gala.
Callum had arranged a private meeting with several investors after the celebration.
The plan depended on presenting a united family image.
But Sloane had arrived demanding public recognition.
Her confrontation disrupted the evening.
Rosalind left.
And the planned approval never happened.
Beckett looked at his mother.
“Mom.”
She looked up.
He smiled faintly.
“She may have accidentally stopped the deal.”
Rosalind stared.
Then laughed.
A tired, astonished laugh.
The woman who had slapped her had also helped expose the scheme.
Not intentionally.
Not nobly.
But through the sheer arrogance of believing she could replace Rosalind.
Gideon shook his head.
“Dad thought he could control everyone.”
Rosalind looked at the documents.
“He forgot that people make choices.”
The evidence was referred to the appropriate authorities.
The attempted approval became part of the broader investigation.
That evening, Rosalind sat alone in Eleanor's living room.
She thought about the gala.
The slap.
The ring.
The moment she'd walked away.
She had believed she was losing everything.
May you like
Now she understood she had interrupted something far more dangerous.
And she had done it simply by refusing to stay where she was being humiliated.
