Chapter 7 - The Dinner Invitation)
Richard called Caroline personally the morning before the dinner.
“I expect you there.”
“Good morning.”
“Seven-thirty.”
“I know.”
“Don’t be late.”
“Dad.”
“What?”
“Why are you suddenly desperate to have me at a family dinner?”
“I’m not desperate.”
“You called twice yesterday.”
“That’s because you ignore messages.”
“Still not an answer.”
Richard exhaled.
“Your mother wants the family together.”
Caroline almost admired how easily he lied.
“Mom told me she didn’t know about the dinner until Madison mentioned it.”
Silence.
Then Richard said, “Do you interrogate everyone now?”
“Only when the story changes.”
“You’ve become exhausting.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“Just be there.”
He ended the call.
An hour later Madison sent Caroline a photograph.
A printed seating arrangement.
Caroline’s name appeared at the far end of the table.
Beside Rebecca.
Across from Richard’s corporate attorney, Donald Reeves.
Caroline zoomed in.
“Why is Reeves attending?” she asked when she called Madison.
“I don’t know.”
“Family dinner with corporate counsel?”
“Maybe Dad adopted him.”
“Funny.”
“I’m serious. I asked Mom. She says Dad invited him.”
Caroline thought about the pending trust sale.
“Has Dad asked Mom to sign anything else?”
“Not that I know.”
“Find out.”
That afternoon Naomi confirmed Caroline’s concern.
South Crown Heritage Trust owned land that had originally been pledged inside the broader Westbridge collateral package.
A poorly drafted release executed the previous year created ambiguity over whether it remained subject to lender consent.
Richard appeared to believe the land had been released.
Naomi disagreed.
“So he may sell it thinking nobody can stop him,” Caroline said.
“Yes.”
“And if Meridian objects?”
“We could seek an injunction.”
“Would we win?”
“Probably.”
“Probably isn’t enough.”
“No legal answer is.”
Caroline looked at the maps.
“Who is buying?”
“Still hidden.”
“Find out.”
“Working on it.”
By six that evening, another problem emerged.
Evan called.
“North Carolina Commerce contacted us.”
“Why?”
“They received an anonymous packet.”
“What kind of packet?”
“Documents alleging project funds were diverted through Cardinal Municipal.”
Caroline sat straighter.
“Did you send it?”
“No.”
“Naomi?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
“Unknown.”
“What’s in it?”
“Enough to trigger internal review.”
Caroline stared at the wall.
Someone else knew.
Someone else was moving.
“Does Richard know?”
“Not yet.”
“He will.”
“Probably within twenty-four hours.”
The family dinner was twenty-five hours away.
Caroline suddenly understood the danger.
If Richard learned creditors were investigating related-party transfers, he might accelerate the land sale.
Or destroy records.
Or blame whoever he suspected.
She called Madison.
“Tomorrow, keep your phone charged.”
“That sounds ominous.”
“Record anything Dad says if the conversation turns financial.”
“You want me to secretly record him?”
“North Carolina is a one-party-consent state for conversations you participate in, but don’t do anything that makes you uncomfortable.”
Madison paused.
“I’m comfortable.”
“Of course you are.”
“I’ve wanted evidence of Dad being insane since high school.”
“Madison.”
“I’m joking.”
“You aren’t.”
“No.”
Caroline laughed despite herself.
Then Madison became serious.
“Are you going to tell him?”
“Tell him what?”
“That Meridian is yours.”
Caroline looked at the navy folder sitting on her desk.
Inside were copies of the acquired debt instrument.
The covenant notices.
The collateral provisions.
And one document Richard had not yet seen.
A proposed standstill agreement.
It would give Hayes Development a narrow path to avoid immediate enforcement.
But it required Richard to disclose all related-party transactions.
Resign certain management authority during a forensic review.
And stop moving family assets.
Caroline did not want his company.
She wanted him contained.
“If he tells the truth tomorrow,” she said, “maybe I won’t have to.”
Madison laughed softly.
“You already know he won’t.”
Caroline stared at the folder.
May you like
“Yes.”
She did.
