Chapter 11 - DINNER AT THE ASHFORD CLUB
Marlene did not deny following Rebecca that night.
She simply sat at the metal table and removed her gloves.
“Rebecca was hysterical,” she said. “She stole confidential documents and threatened to destroy hundreds of jobs.”
“She was twenty-six,” I replied. “She was trying to warn me.”
“She was trying to destroy this family.”
Noah remained beside his mother, silent.
That was when I understood.
For nine years, I had believed Noah helped me survive my sister’s death. He drove me to therapy. He slept on the floor beside the bed when I could not stop crying. He arranged flowers for every anniversary.
He had not been comforting me.
He had been watching me.
Marlene said Rebecca left the hotel during a storm. She followed because she wanted the documents back. Near the coastal road, Rebecca stopped her car and confronted her.
“I never touched her,” Marlene insisted. “She drove away too fast.”
“And the second vehicle?”
Marlene looked at Noah.
He answered without meeting my eyes.
“I was behind Mom.”
My throat tightened.
“You both chased her.”
“We followed her,” Noah corrected. “There’s a difference.”
“To the bottom of a cliff?”
Camille suddenly moved toward the exit.
Marlene blocked her.
“No one leaves until we decide what happens to the records.”
I quietly pressed the emergency alert button on my watch.
Nothing happened.
Noah noticed.
“The room blocks wireless signals,” he said. “That was the point.”
Marlene gathered the financial documents into a pile.
“Tomorrow night, the Ashford Club is hosting the annual founders’ dinner. Every board member and major investor will attend. Vivian will apologize for the pension discrepancies and announce her resignation.”
I stared at her.
“And if I refuse?”
“Your daughter will learn that her mother stole from hotel employees.”
Paige was sixteen. She had not answered my calls since the board meeting.
Noah had already convinced her I was guilty.
Marlene leaned forward.
“Choose carefully. A ruined mother can recover. A disgraced daughter never does.”
I folded Rebecca’s photograph and placed it inside my pocket.
“I’ll attend your dinner.”
Noah relaxed.
But Marlene studied my face.
She knew me better than he did.
“What are you planning?” she asked.
May you like
I smiled for the first time that night.
“The apology you deserve.”
