Chapter 16 - THE MAN WHO BOUGHT THE DEBT
Three days later, Adrian Cross appeared at Bellamere Estate.
He didn't request a meeting.
He simply walked into the main reception hall with two attorneys and a leather briefcase.
The receptionist called me immediately.
“Miss Hayes, there's a gentleman here who says he has an appointment with the controlling shareholder.”
“Who is he?”
“Adrian Cross.”
I exchanged a glance with Daniel.
“Send him upstairs.”
Five minutes later, Adrian entered my office.
He was in his early sixties, with silver hair, a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, and an expression that suggested he had never been told no.
“Madison Hayes,” he said, extending his hand.
I didn't take it.
“Mr. Cross.”
He smiled.
“Your mother had your eyes.”
I stiffened.
“You knew my mother?”
“Very well.”
“Then you should understand why I don't appreciate you using her name to introduce yourself.”
He sat down without being invited.
“I understand you've inherited Bellamere.”
“I own the controlling voting rights.”
“An impressive position for someone who wasn't even aware of her inheritance six months ago.”
I leaned back.
“What do you want?”
He opened his briefcase and removed a document.
“I represent a private investment group that has acquired several outstanding financial claims against Bellamere Hospitality.”
Daniel immediately examined the document.
“Who authorized these transfers?”
Adrian smiled.
“That's a question for the previous management.”
He placed another document on the table.
“Your company has outstanding obligations connected to the original Bellamere collection. My clients are prepared to settle those obligations in exchange for the intellectual property rights.”
I laughed.
“My mother owned those designs.”
“According to the documents you currently possess.”
“According to the original contracts, too.”
Adrian leaned forward.
“Contracts can be challenged, Miss Hayes.”
Daniel closed the folder.
“Not when they're supported by original registrations and authenticated ownership records.”
Adrian stood.
“Then perhaps we'll let a judge decide.”
He walked toward the door before turning around.
“One piece of advice. Your mother spent thirty years protecting those designs. She still couldn't protect them forever.”
I watched him leave.
Daniel immediately contacted our legal team.
An hour later, he returned with disturbing news.
Adrian's investment group had purchased debt connected to one of Bellamere's former subsidiaries.
If the claims were upheld, the company could face a significant financial liability.
“How much?” I asked.
“Approximately twelve million dollars.”
I looked at the documents.
The amount was almost half of the money originally stolen from my mother's trust.
I understood what Adrian was doing.
He wasn't simply trying to recover money.
He wanted to use the financial system to take control of the collection.
And this time, he was attacking through legal paperwork rather than stolen dresses.
I turned toward Daniel.
“Find every transaction Adrian made during the last five years.”
“Already working on it.”
“And contact the original designers who worked with my mother.”
Daniel nodded.
I looked toward the portrait of Eleanor hanging outside my office.
“Someone thinks her daughter will surrender everything just because they send a few threatening letters.”
May you like
I closed the folder.
“They're about to learn otherwise.”
