Chapter 7 - The Second Cancellation
Claire believed the wedding was the only thing she would need to cancel.
She was wrong.
At her residence, Lily fell asleep while holding Claire’s hand. Claire remained beside her until her breathing became steady.
Then the resort’s finance director called.
“We found an irregular authorization connected to the wedding account.”
Claire opened her laptop.
Someone had attempted to charge an additional four hundred thousand dollars to Aurora Hospitality for luxury gifts, designer luggage, and cash allowances for Vanessa’s honeymoon.
The authorization carried Claire’s electronic signature.
It was forged.
The request had been submitted by their father using documents Claire had sent months earlier to arrange travel insurance for their parents.
Claire’s disappointment became cold certainty.
“Freeze every family-related expense,” she instructed. “Preserve all records and send the authorization to our legal department.”
An hour later, her parents arrived at the residence.
Her father began shouting before Claire opened the door fully.
“You canceled our return flights.”
“I canceled the private jet you charged to my company. Commercial flights remain available tomorrow.”
Her mother pressed a hand to her chest.
“You would force your own parents to fly commercially?”
“You attempted to steal four hundred thousand dollars from me.”
Her father’s face tightened.
“It was for Vanessa’s future.”
“It was fraud.”
“We were going to repay it.”
“With what?”
Neither parent answered.
Claire showed them the forged authorization.
Her mother looked away.
That was enough.
“You knew,” Claire said.
“We were trying to protect your sister.”
“From the consequences of spending money she did not have?”
“She deserves a beautiful beginning.”
Claire’s voice lowered.
“And Lily deserved to be protected today.”
Her mother began to cry, but Claire felt no urge to comfort her.
“You will leave the island tomorrow. My attorneys will contact you regarding the forged documents.”
Her father stepped forward.
“You would take legal action against family?”
May you like
Claire closed the door halfway.
“You stopped treating me like family years ago. Today, I finally stopped financing the performance.”
