Chapter 7 - Project Phoenix
Daniel spent the afternoon trying to reach Victor Hale.
Victor did not answer.
Daniel tried from another phone.
Still nothing.
Finally, he sent a message.
WE NEED TO MEET.
Victor replied ten minutes later.
NO.
Daniel stared at the screen.
He typed again.
YOU’RE ALREADY INVOLVED.
Victor’s answer came immediately.
NOT ANYMORE.
Daniel threw the phone against the hotel wall.
The screen shattered.
He had spent eighteen months planning Project Phoenix.
The deal was supposed to solve everything.
His private debts.
The company’s liquidity problems.
His obligations to investors.
His growing need to escape Rebecca’s financial influence.
Victor’s consortium would buy Carter Development.
Daniel would receive a massive personal payout.
Rebecca would discover the sale only after the structure had become almost impossible to reverse.
At least that had been the plan.
Daniel had believed Rebecca knew nothing about the company.
He had been wrong.
At Rebecca’s office, Caroline placed the draft Phoenix agreement on the table.
“It isn’t signed.”
Rebecca scanned the pages.
“But it was close.”
“Very.”
Rebecca reached a section containing management bonuses.
Daniel’s proposed payout was eighteen million dollars.
She laughed softly.
“Of course.”
Adam sat beside her.
His face had become increasingly pale.
“What happens to the employees?”
The forensic accountant answered.
“Under this structure, several divisions would likely be sold separately.”
“How many people lose their jobs?”
“Possibly hundreds.”
Adam looked toward his mother.
“Dad knew?”
Rebecca turned the page.
“He negotiated it.”
Adam stood and walked toward the window.
Rebecca watched him.
She knew what he was feeling.
Daniel had always been complicated as a husband.
But Adam had worshiped him as a father.
That image was collapsing.
“There’s more.”
Caroline said.
Rebecca looked up.
Caroline placed another document before her.
A personal guarantee appeared at the bottom.
Daniel Carter.
Then another name.
Adam Carter.
Adam turned.
“What?”
Rebecca stared at the signature.
“Did you sign this?”
Adam walked over.
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“I have never seen that document.”
Caroline’s expression hardened.
“Then somebody forged your signature.”
Silence filled the room.
Adam looked at Rebecca.
“Dad wouldn’t do that.”
Nobody answered.
Adam repeated it.
“My father would not forge my signature.”
Rebecca wished she could reassure him.
She could not.
Caroline pulled out a second page.
“This guarantee pledges assets from Adam’s trust.”
Rebecca’s eyes narrowed.
“That’s why Daniel attempted the trust loan.”
“Possibly.”
Adam stared at his own forged name.
His eyes filled with disbelief.
“He used me.”
Rebecca stood beside him.
Adam stepped away.
“I need air.”
He left the room.
Rebecca started after him.
Caroline stopped her gently.
“Give him a minute.”
Rebecca looked toward the closed door.
“He’s my son.”
“I know.”
Rebecca’s voice dropped.
“Daniel can betray me.”
“He does not get to destroy Adam.”
Caroline nodded.
“Then we need proof.”
Rebecca looked toward the accountant.
“Find it.”
That evening, Adam received a message from Daniel.
SON, WE NEED TO TALK BEFORE YOUR MOTHER POISONS YOU AGAINST ME.
Adam stared at the words for a long time.
Then another message arrived.
DON’T BELIEVE ANY DOCUMENTS SHE SHOWS YOU.
Adam’s breathing slowed.
A third message appeared.
I CAN EXPLAIN YOUR SIGNATURE.
Adam froze.
He had never told Daniel that anyone had found the signature.
Neither had Rebecca.
Neither had Caroline.
Adam read the message again.
May you like
I CAN EXPLAIN YOUR SIGNATURE.
And suddenly, his father had answered the question without realizing it.
