Chapter 2: The Audits of Reckoning
The wedding was over before the vows could even be exchanged. While Ethan was escorted out to a waiting police vehicle in his custom tuxedo, the federal team turned their attention to Sabrina and Margaret.
"Ms. Sabrina Monroe," my attorney, David Vance, said as he walked into the pavilion, carrying a leather briefcase. He handed her a separate set of papers. "As the Chief Financial Officer of Caldwell Tech—a position you were illegally granted three weeks ago—you are being served with a freezing injunction. Every account linked to your name, including the offshore trust Ethan set up for you, is officially locked pending a full forensic audit."
Sabrina dropped her bouquet, her face pale. "No... no, I didn't do anything! Ethan managed the finances! I just signed what he told me to!"
"You signed fake consulting invoices to siphon money out of Grace’s original shares, Ms. Monroe," David replied coldly. "You'll have plenty of time to explain that to the judge."
Margaret rushed to her son's defense, her voice trembling with rage. "You cannot do this, Grace! This estate belongs to the Caldwell family! I bought this land!"
I finally looked at Margaret, the woman who had stood by and watched her granddaughter almost freeze to death. "Actually, Margaret, you didn't. Check the deed. My father’s old business partner, Mr. Henderson, held the primary mortgage on this property. When Ethan stopped making payments last month to fund this lavish wedding, Mr. Henderson bought out the remaining debt. And yesterday, he transferred the full title of this estate to a trust under my name."
I stepped closer to her, my voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "This is my house now, Margaret. And I want you off my property. In the next ten minutes, or I will have security throw you out into the snow, exactly like you did to me."
Margaret gasped, clutching her chest as if she were having a heart attack. But no one in the room came to her aid. The wealthy friends she had spent years trying to impress were already scrambling to leave the venue, terrified of being associated with a federal criminal investigation.
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As the pavilion emptied, leaving only the remnants of an unconsumed champagne tower and scattered white flowers, I looked down at Sophie. She woke up, blinking her beautiful brown eyes, completely oblivious to the war her mother had just won.
"We're going home, sweetie," I whispered, kissing her soft forehead. "A real home this time."
