Chapter 4
Two million dollars.
The number echoed in my head.
I had spent decades learning how difficult it was to earn money honestly.
Now Vanessa had apparently been promising investors millions using my family's reputation.
I looked at Olivia Grant.
"Has anyone actually transferred money?"
She nodded.
"Some investors have."
My stomach tightened.
"How much?"
"We're still determining the total."
Marcus stepped forward.
"That can't be right."
Olivia looked at him.
"Mr. Bennett, did you authorize these investment materials?"
He shook his head.
"No."
"Did you approve the use of your mother's company?"
"No."
I watched him.
For once, he didn't look toward Vanessa for guidance.
He looked frightened.
Olivia opened another folder.
Inside were promotional materials for Bennett Luxury Residences.
Photographs of luxury homes.
Architectural renderings.
A business plan.
And a photograph of Marcus standing beside Vanessa.
The picture had been taken at our engagement dinner.
I stared at it.
Vanessa had used an ordinary family photograph to make her business look official.
Then Olivia showed me the investor presentation.
The first slide read:
BENNETT LUXURY RESIDENCES.
A NEW GENERATION OF REAL ESTATE EXCELLENCE.
Below it was my company's logo.
I felt sick.
"She used our trademark."
Olivia nodded.
"Yes."
Marcus leaned forward.
"Why would she do that?"
I looked at him.
"Because people trust the Bennett name."
He stared at the screen.
I continued.
"Your father and I spent thirty years building that trust."
My voice shook.
"And Vanessa was willing to spend it in thirty days."
Marcus lowered his head.
Olivia turned to another slide.
It listed company leadership.
Vanessa Bennett, Chief Executive Officer.
Marcus Bennett, President.
Evelyn Bennett, Founding Advisor.
I stared at the words.
"Founding Advisor?"
I almost laughed.
Apparently, Vanessa had already decided I was retiring.
Without asking me.
Without telling me.
Without even waiting for the wedding ceremony.
Olivia looked concerned.
"Mrs. Bennett, I believe you should contact your corporate attorney immediately."
"I already intend to."
I called Grace.
Within minutes, she connected me with our company's legal counsel, Samuel Price.
I explained the situation.
He listened carefully.
Then he said, "Evelyn, do not make any public accusations until we review the documents."
I nodded.
"Understood."
"We need copies of everything. Preserve the original files and communications."
"Olivia has them."
"Good. We should also notify the relevant financial institutions and investors that no authority was granted."
I looked at Marcus.
He sat silently.
"Samuel, could my son be legally exposed?"
There was a pause.
"That depends on what he signed, what he knew, and how the documents were used."
Marcus looked up sharply.
I closed my eyes.
Samuel continued.
"He should obtain independent legal advice."
I thanked him.
Then I ended the call.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Finally, Marcus whispered, "Mom, am I in trouble?"
I looked at him.
"I don't know."
His eyes filled.
"I didn't know about any of this."
I wanted to believe him.
I truly did.
But believing him wouldn't erase the document he had signed.
And it wouldn't undo the silence that had allowed Vanessa to humiliate me.
"Marcus, you need to tell the truth."
He nodded.
"All of it."
Then my phone vibrated.
A message from Vanessa.
"Your little stunt is over. The guests are demanding answers. Get back here and fix this."
I stared at the words.
Then another message appeared.
"If you don't restore the services, I'll make sure everyone knows what kind of mother you really are."
I felt a bitter smile form.
For months, Vanessa had used guilt to control me.
She told me I was interfering.
She said I was too involved.
She accused me of wanting Marcus to remain a child.
And every time, I stepped backward.
I apologized.
I tried harder.
Now she was threatening me because I had finally said no.
I handed the phone to Samuel's assistant, who had joined the call remotely.
She instructed me to preserve the messages.
Then Nathaniel spoke.
"Evelyn, there's something else you need to understand."
I turned.
He looked toward the gardens.
"Vanessa has been telling my event staff that she intends to make a major announcement during the reception."
I frowned.
"What announcement?"
Nathaniel hesitated.
"That Marcus will become the new chief executive of Bennett Property Group."
I felt cold.
Marcus stood.
"What?"
Nathaniel nodded.
"She wanted a spotlight, a microphone, and a presentation screen."
I stared at the documents.
She had planned to announce my retirement in front of two hundred guests.
Without my knowledge.
Without my consent.
I wondered whether she thought public pressure would force me to agree.
Marcus looked horrified.
"She never told me that."
I looked at him.
"Then you should ask yourself why."
He lowered his eyes.
Outside, I heard raised voices.
Someone was shouting near the garden entrance.
Then the office door opened.
Celeste hurried inside.
Her face was pale.
"Mrs. Bennett, Vanessa is demanding to speak with you."
I sighed.
"Not now."
Celeste hesitated.
"She's threatening to call the police."
Nathaniel frowned.
"For what?"
"She says Mrs. Bennett is stealing her wedding."
I almost laughed.
"Stealing?"
Celeste nodded miserably.
"She's telling guests that the wedding vendors belong to her."
I looked at Nathaniel.
He shook his head.
Then Marcus stood.
"I'll talk to her."
I turned toward him.
"Marcus, don't go out there and make promises you can't keep."
He swallowed.
"I won't."
I studied his face.
"Can you stand up for the truth this time?"
His eyes filled.
"I'll try."
I shook my head.
"Trying isn't enough when your silence hurts other people."
He nodded.
Then he walked toward the door.
But before he reached it, Vanessa appeared.
She pushed past Celeste.
Her white lace gown brushed against the doorway.
Her jeweled headband glittered beneath the office lights.
And her face was twisted with anger.
"There you are!"
She pointed at me.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?"
I stood slowly.
Vanessa stormed toward the desk.
"You embarrassed me in front of everybody!"
I looked at her calmly.
"You ordered me to leave."
She waved her hand.
"Because you were ruining the photographs!"
Marcus stepped forward.
"Vanessa, stop."
She froze.
"What?"
He took a breath.
"We need to talk about the documents."
Her expression changed.
For one second, I saw fear.
Then she laughed.
"What documents?"
Olivia placed the investor presentation on the desk.
Vanessa looked at it.
Her smile disappeared.
I watched her eyes move across the page.
Then I asked the question that had been burning inside me.
"Vanessa, how many people have you taken money from using my company's name?"
She stared at me.
Nobody spoke.
Then she whispered:
May you like
"You weren't supposed to find out until after the wedding."
And the room went completely silent.
