Chapter 4 - The Anniversary Contract
Two weeks later, Beverly summoned Allison to the estate.
She used the word summoned without embarrassment.
When Allison arrived, Beverly sat in the conservatory surrounded by fabric samples and floral arrangements.
“I need you to approve the anniversary contract,” Beverly said.
“No.”
Beverly looked up slowly.
“You haven’t read it.”
“I’ve read it.”
“Then you understand how important the evening will be.”
“I understand it costs more than most families earn in several years.”
Beverly waved a hand.
“Money returns. Reputation does not.”
“Warren’s company cannot afford it.”
Beverly’s expression changed.
“Warren told you?”
“No.”
Allison sat across from her.
“I looked.”
“You had no right to investigate his private business.”
“I own part of the home securing one of his loans. I have every right.”
Beverly poured tea with steady hands.
“A wife should support her husband when he is under pressure.”
“I have supported him with three hundred thousand dollars he never intended to tell me about.”
The teapot struck the saucer.
Only once.
But Allison saw the fear in Beverly’s eyes.
“So you know,” Beverly said.
“Yes.”
“Then you know the money was used for the family.”
“Private clubs and luxury hotels are not the family.”
“Appearances create opportunities.”
“For whom?”
“For Warren. For your daughters. For all of us.”
Allison leaned forward.
“Do not use my daughters to justify stealing from them.”
Beverly’s face tightened.
“Stealing is a vulgar word.”
“It is also an accurate one.”
For several seconds, the two women stared at each other.
Then Beverly leaned back.
“You are not built for this family.”
Allison almost smiled.
That insult had once frightened her.
Now it sounded like freedom.
“You may be right.”
Beverly recovered quickly.
“If you embarrass Warren, you embarrass your daughters.”
“No. Warren’s choices embarrass Warren.”
“You think people will take your side?”
“I’m not asking anyone to take sides.”
“Everyone takes sides.”
Allison stood.
“I’m taking theirs.”
She meant Emma and Sophie.
Beverly understood.
As Allison reached the door, Beverly spoke again.
“You will attend the anniversary.”
It was not a question.
“Yes.”
“And you will sit where you are assigned.”
Allison turned.
“I will attend because I want my daughters to see what happens when someone finally refuses to remain in the place assigned to her.”
Beverly’s confident smile disappeared.
That evening, Warren arrived home carrying a gift box.
Inside was a diamond bracelet.
“I know things have been tense,” he said.
Allison looked at the bracelet.
“Did you pay for this?”
He laughed nervously.
“Of course.”
“With what money?”
His smile faded.
“Why are you interrogating me?”
“Because you took three hundred thousand dollars from my inheritance.”
He became completely still.
“Mother told you.”
“The bank records told me.”
Warren closed the gift box.
“I was going to replace it.”
“When?”
“When the company recovered.”
“You used our future to protect your image.”
“I used money to save my business.”
“You spent eighty thousand dollars on family events.”
“Those events bring clients.”
“Did they?”
He said nothing.
Allison stepped closer.
“You signed an acknowledgment accepting personal responsibility for the money.”
Warren looked genuinely confused.
“What acknowledgment?”
“The one Margaret Lin has.”
Fear moved across his face.
“You went to a lawyer?”
“I went to mine.”
“You’re my wife.”
“I am also a person.”
He began pacing.
“We can fix this. I have a major deal coming.”
“Is that what you told the employees you haven’t paid?”
He stopped.
“You’ve been in my office.”
“I’ve been in our house.”
Warren’s voice softened.
“Allison, please. If people find out, my father will be humiliated.”
Not once did he mention Emma or Sophie.
Not once did he apologize.
He only feared exposure.
Allison placed the bracelet back into his hands.
“You have until the anniversary to tell your family the truth.”
“And if I don’t?”
May you like
She looked at him calmly.
“Then I will.”
