Chapter 6 - The Briefcase
The conference room overlooked the sea.
Maya changed into a simple navy dress from the owner’s private suite. When she returned, Sofia was seated beside Adrian with a laptop open in front of her.
The head of security placed a folder on the table.
“We searched public records and internal communications,” he said. “Vale Architectural Group has been approaching investors for six weeks. They claim to have access to Ardenmere through a family connection.”
“What connection?” Maya asked.
“You.”
The answer no longer surprised her.
Sofia turned the laptop around.
A scanned letter appeared on the screen. It stated that Maya Ellis-Arden intended to transfer a controlling interest in Ardenmere to her husband’s company after the renovation.
The signature was false.
Daniel had copied it well, but he had missed the slight break Maya always placed between her first and last name.
“There’s more,” Sofia said.
She opened another file.
Daniel had applied for a loan using Ardenmere as future collateral. The lender had not approved it, but an investor named Victor Hale had agreed to provide short-term financing if Daniel produced a signed power of attorney during the weekend.
The documents were likely inside his briefcase.
Maya felt suddenly cold.
“He was planning to make me sign something here.”
“Possibly under the excuse of a hotel form or investment agreement,” Sofia said. “Or he may have intended to forge the final signature.”
Adrian looked toward the gates.
“The family is still outside. Daniel is demanding entry.”
Maya considered calling the authorities immediately.
Then an idea came to her.
“Let him in.”
Sofia frowned.
“Maya.”
“Only Daniel. Search his briefcase in his presence under resort security policy. Record everything.”
Daniel entered the conference room twenty minutes later.
His anger disappeared when he saw Maya at the head of the table.
Sofia sat at her right. Adrian sat at her left. Two security officers stood near the door.
Daniel placed the briefcase against his leg.
“Maya, this has gone far enough.”
She gestured toward the empty chair.
“Sit down.”
He remained standing.
“Tell these people to let my family inside.”
“They are not guests.”
“We have a reservation.”
“For tomorrow. It has been canceled.”
His eyes narrowed.
“You had no right.”
Maya almost smiled.
“I had every right.”
Sofia opened the title record.
Daniel stared at Maya’s name.
For several seconds, he appeared unable to breathe.
Then disbelief became calculation.
“You own the resort.”
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“Before I met you.”
Daniel looked wounded, as though her privacy were a greater betrayal than his fraud.
“You lied to me.”
“I protected my identity.”
“You let me struggle.”
“I offered to help you review the company accounts. You refused.”
“You watched my business collapse while sitting on this?”
“It was never your business to claim.”
Daniel glanced at Sofia.
“This is between my wife and me.”
“No,” Sofia said. “It became a legal matter when you forged her signature.”
Daniel reached for the briefcase.
One of the officers stepped forward.
Maya’s voice remained calm.
“Open it.”
Daniel looked at her.
“You can’t search my property.”
“You entered private grounds after security informed you that all bags would be inspected. You agreed in writing at the gate.”
Daniel had signed without reading.
The same method he had planned to use against Maya had trapped him.
He slowly opened the briefcase.
Inside were the loan documents, the false transfer agreement, and the forged power of attorney.
There was also a bottle of champagne.
Maya looked at it.
“What was that for?”
Daniel said nothing.
May you like
Sofia answered for him.
“To celebrate after they took your resort.”
