Chapter 6 - The Envelope Under the Pillow
John and Helen entered the hospital room three hours after Ruth’s operation ended.
John immediately began performing the role of a concerned son.
He asked the nurse about Ruth’s condition. He complained that no one had contacted him properly. He suggested that Emma’s emotional state had caused confusion.
Then Ruth mentioned the envelope.
John’s panic exposed everything he had tried to hide.
When he ordered Emma to hand it over, she stepped backward.
Pastor Michael entered before John could reach her.
Attorney Daniel followed, accompanied by two police officers.
John stared at them.
“This is a family matter.”
Daniel held up a folder.
“It became a legal matter when you attempted to complete the sale of property using disputed documents.”
“I have financial authority.”
“It was revoked yesterday.”
John looked at Ruth.
“You can’t do that.”
“It is her authority,” Daniel replied. “She can revoke it whenever she chooses.”
Helen moved toward the door, but one of the officers calmly asked her to remain.
Daniel continued.
“Northgate Development provided records of tonight’s meeting. They also turned over the agreement you submitted and the confirmation of the advance payment made to your company.”
John pointed at Emma.
“She manipulated my mother.”
Ruth slowly raised her head.
“No one manipulated me.”
“You don’t understand what you’ve done.”
“I understand that you took one hundred and eighty thousand dollars.”
“I was protecting the family business.”
“You were protecting yourself.”
John’s voice rose.
“Everything I built was for this family.”
Emma finally spoke.
“You tried to sell the house while Grandma was in surgery.”
“I was saving what could be saved.”
“You didn’t even answer the phone.”
John turned toward Ruth.
“Mother, tell them to leave.”
May you like
Ruth looked at Pastor Michael.
“Open the envelope.”
