Victoria’s Perfect Family
Chapter 05 - Victoria’s Perfect Family
Friday evening began with candlelight, polished silver, and the illusion of civility. Victoria arrived in a champagne-colored gown, followed by her personal attorney, Mr. Bell. Daniel had not told Emma a lawyer would be attending.
“He is only here to witness the signature,” Victoria said, kissing the air beside Emma’s cheek.
Emma glanced at Daniel. “You said this was dinner.”
“It is,” he replied. “With paperwork.”
Mr. Bell placed a leather folder beside Emma’s plate. The transfer agreement looked simple, but Maya had already explained its hidden language. By signing, Emma would surrender the apartment to a trust controlled by Victoria. The trust could borrow against it immediately, sell it without Emma’s consent, and use the proceeds to satisfy business debts.
Victoria raised her wineglass. “To family generosity.”
Emma did not drink.
During the first course, Victoria described how beautifully she would renovate the apartment. She planned to remove Emma’s grandmother’s bookshelves, replace the old kitchen tiles, and turn the second bedroom into a dressing room.
Daniel laughed as though the apartment already belonged to them.
Emma asked, “What happens to the existing mortgage guarantee?”
Mr. Bell’s fork stopped halfway to his mouth.
Daniel’s smile tightened. “There is no mortgage guarantee.”
“Then why does the transfer document authorize a twenty-year commercial lien?”
Victoria set down her glass. “You are confused.”
“I read it carefully.”
“You hired someone,” Daniel said.
The room changed. The warmth left his voice, and the version of him Emma had seen in the recordings appeared at the table.
Victoria reached across and covered Emma’s hand. “You have always been anxious about money because of your childhood. Daniel and I are trying to give you security.”
“My security is keeping the home my grandmother left me.”
Victoria’s fingers pressed harder. “Your grandmother obtained that apartment from our family.”
“She loaned your company money when no bank would.”
“That is not the story you were told.”
Emma pulled her hand away. “Then tell me the true story.”
For one dangerous second, Victoria looked ready to do exactly that. Instead, she nodded toward the documents.
“Sign, and we can stop embarrassing ourselves.”
Emma thought of Richard’s letters, Sophie’s recording, and every forged signature carrying her name. She also thought of the tiny camera Maya had placed inside the dining-room flower arrangement.
“No,” Emma said.
Daniel’s chair moved back.
His face darkened, but Victoria remained perfectly still.
May you like
“Ask her again,” she told her son.
Daniel’s hand closed around the edge of his plate.
