Chapter 6
I stared at Nia.
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
She had signed a statement claiming I approved investments I knew nothing about.
My wife.
The woman who shared my home.
The woman who knew how hard I worked.
She had put my business at risk to protect another man.
I sat down slowly.
"Why?"
Nia began crying.
"Because I was scared."
I looked up.
"Scared of what?"
She swallowed.
"Damian said I'd be blamed for everything."
My chest tightened.
"He told you that?"
She nodded.
"He said I had already signed too many documents."
I stared at her.
"Then why didn't you come to me?"
She looked down.
"Because I thought you'd hate me."
I felt tears rise.
"Nia, I would've been angry."
She nodded.
"I know."
"But I would've wanted to protect innocent people from being hurt."
She began sobbing.
I took a slow breath.
"Now Tasha might lose her savings."
Nia covered her mouth.
I continued.
"Our house is at risk."
Her shoulders shook.
"And employees may lose their jobs if the company can't recover."
She began crying harder.
For the first time, I thought she truly understood the consequences.
Not just for herself.
For everyone.
I looked at her.
"We need to give Olivia that document."
She nodded.
"I have a copy."
I swallowed.
"Where?"
"On my laptop."
I stood.
"Then let's preserve it."
The next morning, Olivia reviewed the statement.
It contained my name.
My supposed approval.
And a declaration that Damian's investment decisions were authorized.
My stomach twisted.
But the document also contained something important.
The date.
It was signed while I was working at a construction site nearly two hundred miles away.
Olivia nodded.
"That gives us a fact we can verify."
I felt relief.
Then she turned another page.
There were electronic messages attached.
Damian had instructed Nia to sign.
He told her the paperwork was necessary.
Then threatened to expose their affair if she refused.
I stared.
The manipulation was clear.
But so was Nia's participation.
She had agreed to transfer money.
She had concealed documents.
She had helped Damian gain access.
I looked at Olivia.
"What happens to her?"
Olivia answered carefully.
"That depends on the evidence and the decisions of investigators and prosecutors."
I nodded.
I wanted justice.
But I didn't want to pretend Nia had no responsibility.
She had choices.
And she had made some terrible ones.
Later that afternoon, Nia met with investigators.
She provided messages.
Bank records.
The forged approval statement.
And information about Damian's travel plans.
She also admitted her own role in the unauthorized transactions.
I wasn't present.
I waited at home.
For hours, I stared at the clock.
Then Jasmine arrived.
She brought dinner.
I barely touched it.
She sat across from me.
"Marcus, you need to eat."
I shook my head.
"I'm not hungry."
She sighed.
"I know."
Then she placed a small envelope on the table.
I frowned.
"What's that?"
"A letter from Mom."
My heart tightened.
"Mom?"
Jasmine nodded.
"She asked me to give it to you."
I opened it.
My mother's handwriting filled the page.
My son,
Jasmine told me you're going through something painful.
I know you don't want to worry me.
But you never have to pretend to be strong every minute.
My eyes filled.
I continued.
When your father died, I thought I had to hold everything together by myself.
Then I learned that strength sometimes means allowing people to help you.
I covered my mouth.
Mom continued.
Whatever happens, don't let bitterness decide the kind of man you become.
Tell the truth.
Protect the people who depend on you.
And remember that your worth doesn't come from how much money you have.
It comes from how you treat people when life becomes difficult.
I began crying.
Jasmine reached for my hand.
For a long time, I couldn't speak.
Then I whispered,
"I needed that."
She smiled through tears.
"I know."
The next morning, Detective Carter called.
She had been assigned to the financial fraud investigation.
Her voice was serious.
"Mr. Bennett, we have a development."
My heart pounded.
"What?"
"Damian Price has been located."
I sat straighter.
"Where?"
"At an airport outside Atlanta."
I closed my eyes.
"Did he have the money?"
She answered carefully.
"Investigators are securing records and reviewing the transfers."
I nodded.
Then she continued.
"We also found evidence of additional victims."
My stomach tightened.
"How many?"
"At least eight households have reported losses involving Southern Crest."
I covered my face.
Eight families.
Eight sets of people who trusted Damian.
Eight futures potentially damaged.
I felt sick.
"Can we recover their money?"
The detective answered,
"Asset recovery is part of the investigation, but we can't promise a result yet."
I nodded.
I understood.
Then she said something unexpected.
"Mr. Bennett, we also reviewed the electronic signatures on the disputed forms."
My heart pounded.
"And?"
"Several appear to have been submitted using an account controlled by Damian."
I exhaled.
For the first time in days, I felt a little hope.
Then she continued.
"But we need to ask you about one document."
My stomach tightened.
"What document?"
"A loan application involving Bennett Construction."
I froze.
"What loan?"
She hesitated.
"Two hundred and ten thousand dollars."
My heart stopped.
I stared at the wall.
"I never applied for that."
The detective's voice became serious.
"That's why we're contacting you."
I covered my mouth.
Then she added,
"The application lists your company as collateral."
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
The house.
The savings.
The company.
Damian had tried to take everything.
I looked toward my office.
The place where I had built my business from nothing.
Then whispered,
"Did the loan go through?"
The detective answered,
"Part of the requested financing appears to have been disbursed. We're working to identify where it went."
My hands began shaking.
I thought about my employees.
The families depending on me.
The company I had spent twelve years building.
Then I looked toward the ceiling.
And whispered,
May you like
"Dad, if you can hear me, I need strength."
Because for the first time, I wasn't sure whether even a winning lottery ticket could save everything Damian had tried to destroy.
