Chapter 5 - The Masterstroke
With Vanessa in police custody awaiting bail that no one would post, Margaret turned her attention to her son. She didn't seek revenge against Daniel; she sought total truth.
She summoned Daniel to her lawyer’s office. Daniel walked in looking broken, wearing a plain grey t-shirt and jeans, his posture slouched. The arrogant smirk from the kitchen was entirely gone.
"Sit down, Daniel," Margaret said calmly.
He sat, unable to meet her eyes. "Mom... I don't even know what to say. I'm sorry doesn't even cover—"
"I don't want your apologies," Margaret cut him off, sliding a thick document across the desk. "I want your signature."
Daniel looked at the paper. It was an explicit confession of financial collusion and a agreement to voluntarily enter a court-monitored debt restructuring program, coupled with a complete forfeiture of any future claims to Margaret’s estate.
"If you sign this," Margaret explained, "I will instruct my legal team not to push for maximum criminal charges against you for the forgery. You will perform two thousand hours of community service, surrender all remaining assets from your failed business, and take an entry-level job to pay back every cent stolen from my estate."
Daniel looked at the pen, then at his mother. "And if I don't?"
May you like
"Then you go to state prison with Vanessa," Margaret stated without a trace of hesitation. "Choice is yours."
Daniel didn't pause. He grabbed the pen and signed every page.
