Chapter 8 - The Power of Attorney Revealed
"Arthur, please," Helen sobbed, falling to her knees on the marble floor. "We did it for the family! Richard’s firm was struggling! We were going to pay Madison back once the market recovered! We’re your family, Arthur!"
"Madison is my family," Arthur said, looking down at his daughter with a cold, unyielding gaze. "You and your husband are nothing but thieves. And starting tonight, you will face the consequences."
Arthur’s attorney, Thomas, stepped forward, holding a thick stack of legal documents.
"Richard Vance, Helen Vance," Thomas said, his voice professional and cold. "This is a formal demand for immediate restitution. You have twenty-four hours to return the five hundred thousand dollars you withdrew from Madison’s trust. You will also sign this document, officially releasing all custodial rights to her accounts and the estate."
"Five hundred thousand?!" Richard gasped. "We don't have that kind of cash! It’s tied up in the firm!"
"Then your firm will be liquidated," Thomas replied smoothly. "And if you refuse to sign, the federal fraud charges we’ve prepared will be filed with the District Attorney by 9:00 a.m. tomorrow. You will be arrested, and your daughter Lauren will be named as a co-conspirator for using stolen funds."
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"No!" Lauren shrieked, her voice reaching a hysterical pitch. "I didn't do anything! It was Mom! She’s the one who gave me the card!"
"You knew exactly where the money was coming from, Lauren," I said, walking out from the shadow of the hallway, holding Noah tightly in my arms. I looked at my sister, my voice calm and steady. "You looked at me every day, knowing you were spending my baby's future. You enjoyed making me feel small. But now, you have nothing left to buy your way out of this."
