PART 3 — THE MEETING HE COULDN’T CONTROL
“It means I’m not discussing a legal agreement without representation.”
He stepped closer to the table.
“Paige, don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”
I picked up Hazel’s spoon.
“Then stop trying to make decisions for both of us.”
He left the folder where it was and stormed out.
Brenda hurried after him, muttering about how I’d changed.
She was right about that.
I had.
Over the next several weeks, the financial investigations moved forward.
The bank confirmed that the signature on my mother’s transfer authorization was in dispute and passed the matter along for further review.
Megan Cole, Brandon’s executive assistant, retained her own attorney.
According to information provided later through the investigation, she admitted to notarizing a document without watching me sign it. She also described pressure from Brandon to push the transfer through quickly.
I couldn’t say whether she had understood the full consequences at the time.
That was for the proper authorities to decide.
Meanwhile, the commercial lender’s review uncovered problems at Faulkner Builders.
The company had failed to submit accurate financial reports and had missed certain obligations under its loan agreement.
Russell told me the trust could pursue remedies through the established legal process.
“Will the company close?” I asked.
“Not necessarily. The lender’s goal is to protect the investment. A restructuring may be possible if the company cooperates.”
I thought about Wayne and the crews who depended on their paychecks.
“I don’t want those people punished for Brandon’s decisions.”
Russell nodded.
“Neither does the trustee. A viable business is generally worth more than a failed one.”
A formal notice was sent to Faulkner Builders, demanding that the company address its defaults and provide reliable financial information.
Brandon called me that evening.
He skipped any greeting.
“Did you know your father’s trust owns our loan?”
I was in Melissa’s living room while Hazel played on a blanket.
“I found out recently.”
“And you didn’t tell me?”
“You didn’t tell me you were moving money out of our accounts.”
He went silent.
Then he said, “That’s business money. You wouldn’t understand.”
“Some of those transfers came from our joint account.”
“I was keeping the company afloat.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me?”
His voice rose.
“Because every time I try to run my business, somebody wants to question me.”
I took a breath.
“Brandon, we need to discuss this through our attorneys.”
“You think you’re going to take my father’s company away from me?”
“I haven’t asked anyone to do that.”
“Then tell your banker to back off.”
“The company has obligations under its loan agreement. That’s not something I can simply cancel.”
He hung up on me.
I sat motionless for a moment before returning to Hazel.
She was trying to push a wooden block into a plastic cup.
I helped her turn it the right way.
A week later, Brandon attended a meeting with the trust’s lending representatives.
I was there because my separate financial interests had become entangled in the dispute, but Russell had made it clear that the lending decisions belonged to the trustee and its authorized professionals.
Brandon arrived with his corporate attorney.
Brenda came along too, though she had no role in managing the loan.
She glared at me across the conference table.
“I hope you’re satisfied,” she said. “You’ve caused enough trouble for this family.”
I kept my hands folded in front of me.
“I didn’t prepare the company’s financial statements, Brenda.”
Brandon’s attorney cleared his throat.
“Let’s focus on the documents.”
Russell outlined the lender’s concerns.
The company had reported receivables that couldn’t be verified, skipped required financial disclosures, and moved money for expenses that had nothing to do with its construction projects.
Brandon leaned back in his chair.
“We had temporary cash-flow problems. Construction is a difficult business.”
“We understand that,” the lending attorney answered. “But the reporting discrepancies are substantial.”
Brandon turned to me.
“Paige, you know how hard I’ve worked. Are you really going to sit there and let them do this?”
I held his gaze.
“I know you’ve worked hard. I also know you locked our cards while I was buying formula for Hazel.”
Brenda made an irritated noise.
“You’re still talking about those groceries?”
I turned to face her.
“Yes, Brenda. Because that was the day I understood how Brandon intended to treat me when he thought I had no money of my own.”
She opened her mouth, but I kept going.
“You called me a freeloader. You said I contributed nothing. And neither of you seemed concerned that Hazel needed food.”
Brandon rubbed his forehead.
“I was trying to teach you a lesson.”
“I’m your wife, Brandon. Not your employee. Not your child.”
The room went silent.
Then Lauren placed a copy of the disputed transfer authorization on the table.
“There’s also an unresolved issue involving Paige’s separate inheritance,” she said. “That matter is being handled independently and may have legal consequences.”
Brandon stared down at the document.
For the first time, he looked genuinely worried.
“Megan handled that paperwork,” he said.
“Then the investigation will establish what happened,” Lauren replied.
His attorney asked to speak with him privately.
Brandon stood, gathered his papers, and walked out of the room with him.
Brenda remained in her seat.
She studied the financial documents for several long moments before she spoke.
