The Dinner That Revealed Everything
Gideon hired a licensed investigator to trace the financial connections.
The investigator soon discovered that Blake, my mother, Taryn, and Russell were meeting privately at an upscale restaurant near SouthPark.
They reserved a private dining room under Russell’s company name.
Through lawful investigative work, Gideon’s team obtained a recording of one of those meetings.
I listened to it in Gideon’s office.
At first, there was only the sound of glasses clinking and chairs shifting.
Then Russell spoke.
“I still can’t believe she signed those papers after the funeral.”
Blake laughed.
“She trusted me to explain everything. She never read the last pages.”
My chest tightened.
Taryn spoke next.
“Once the judge believes she can’t manage the company, what happens?”
“The authority agreement becomes enforceable,” Blake said. “I take temporary control of Northstar. Then we push for a sale or settlement.”
My mother’s voice followed.
Calm. Practical.
“You need to make her seem unreliable in court. I can testify that she has been confused since her father passed.”
For several seconds, I couldn’t breathe.
This was the woman who had cared for me when I was sick, helped me choose my wedding dress, and stood beside me at my father’s memorial promising we would stay together.
Now she was discussing my reputation like it was a business strategy.
Russell lowered his voice.
“And our percentages stay the same?”
“Once the settlement is done,” Blake replied, “everyone gets what we agreed.”
The recording continued, but I had already heard enough.
Gideon paused it.
“Marissa, we can stop this now.”
I looked at the silent speaker on his desk.
“Not yet.”
He studied me carefully.
“What are you thinking?”
“They plan to testify. Let them tell the whole story under oath. Then we show the court the truth.”
