Chapter 11 - THE DAY THE FAMILY CHOSE SIDES
The family reunion had been planned for weeks.
Melissa insisted on hosting.
Margaret almost refused.
But she knew this was exactly what Melissa wanted.
A public confrontation.
So Margaret went.
She arrived with Thomas.
Ryan was already there.
He looked terrified.
Melissa welcomed everyone with champagne.
Then came the toast.
"A toast to Margaret..."
The insult.
The laughter.
The accusation.
And finally, Margaret's sentence.
"I think everyone deserves to know what I've been paying."
Now the family waited.
Margaret placed the documents on the table.
Ryan stood beside her.
Melissa remained frozen.
Margaret looked around.
"For years, I believed I was helping my son."
She paused.
"I was wrong."
A murmur moved through the relatives.
Melissa interrupted.
"You don't know what you're talking about."
Margaret opened the first folder.
"Then explain the transfers."
Melissa stared.
"Those were business expenses."
"Explain the mortgage payments."
"Those were authorized."
"By whom?"
Melissa looked at Ryan.
Ryan said nothing.
Margaret continued.
"Explain why my money entered an account connected to your company."
Melissa's face tightened.
"Because you agreed to help."
"I agreed to help my son."
"You helped us."
"No."
Margaret looked directly at her.
"I helped you without knowing what you were doing."
Ryan finally spoke.
"Melissa."
She turned.
"What?"
"Tell them."
Melissa stared at him.
"Tell them what?"
"The truth."
For the first time, fear appeared in Melissa's eyes.
Margaret noticed.
So did everyone else.
Ryan reached into his pocket.
He pulled out the flash drive.
Melissa's face changed completely.
"Where did you get that?"
Ryan looked at his mother.
"From you."
Melissa shook her head.
"You don't understand what you've done."
Ryan's voice trembled.
"I understand enough."
Melissa stepped toward him.
"You'll lose everything."
Ryan looked at Margaret.
"Maybe."
Then he placed the flash drive on the table.
"But at least I'll know what I lost."
Margaret opened the folder.
Inside was one final document.
May you like
The title made everyone silent.
TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP.
