Chapter 3 - THE WOMAN HE THOUGHT HE CONTROLLED
At seven the next morning, three black cars arrived at the Fairchild estate.
Raymond stepped out of the first.
Behind him came two financial auditors and a forensic accountant.
Brendan stormed downstairs.
“What the hell is this?”
Raymond handed him a folder.
“Notice of independent financial review.”
“You can't audit my company.”
“I can audit assets belonging to my client.”
“Nora isn't an owner.”
Raymond smiled.
“You should read the documents before saying things like that.”
Brendan opened the folder.
His face slowly lost its color.
Three years earlier, my father had transferred controlling interests in six investment companies into a trust.
The beneficiary?
Me.
But there was more.
My father had purchased a significant minority position in Fairchild Holdings shortly before I married Brendan.
The shares had been placed in a protected trust.
The trust agreement contained a provision that would activate if I became financially coerced, isolated, or abused.
Brendan had unknowingly spent three years helping activate every condition.
Raymond placed another document on the table.
“Your wife's financial restrictions are documented.”
Another.
“Her employment termination.”
Another.
“Rejected medical expenses concerning Chloe.”
Another.
“Seventeen unanswered calls during your daughter's final emergency.”
Brendan slammed the folder shut.
“This is manipulation.”
“No,” Raymond said. “This is evidence.”
His mother, Eleanor Fairchild, entered the room.
She looked furious.
“What is happening?”
Raymond turned.
“Mrs. Fairchild, your family's company may have a serious problem.”
Eleanor laughed.
“This is a family matter.”
“No.”
Raymond looked at me.
“This stopped being a family matter when your family used corporate resources to financially isolate my client and interfere with her child's medical care.”
Eleanor's eyes widened.
“You're threatening us?”
“No.”
I stood.
“I am giving you notice.”
Everyone looked at me.
“For three years, I allowed you to believe I was powerless.”
My voice shook.
But I didn't stop.
“I gave up my career. I let Brendan control our accounts. I stayed silent while your family treated my daughter like an expense.”
I picked up Chloe's urn.
“But Chloe was not an expense.”
Eleanor's face hardened.
“You're blaming us for her death?”
I looked at her.
“No.”
May you like
I took a breath.
“I'm going to prove exactly who is responsible for what happened.”
