Chapter 20 - THE RECORDING THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
The USB drive contained forty-seven files.
Most were financial documents, but one folder was labeled E.H. — ORIGINAL AGREEMENT.
Daniel opened it inside our legal office.
The first document was a scanned copy of a private contract.
The second was a recording.
We listened together.
A man's voice filled the room.
Adrian Cross.
“Eleanor, you cannot keep fighting the company. Your designs are generating millions, and the Caldwell family has invested everything.”
My mother's voice followed.
“I created those designs. I own them.”
“You were paid.”
“I was paid for selected commissions. I never transferred ownership of my entire collection.”
“Then sign the agreement.”
“No.”
A pause.
Then Adrian spoke again.
“You will regret this.”
My mother answered calmly.
“I would rather lose everything than allow you to steal something I created.”
The recording ended.
Daniel sat back.
“This is significant.”
“Can we use it?”
“We need authentication, but it directly contradicts Adrian's claim that your mother voluntarily transferred the collection.”
I looked at the contract.
There was another signature.
Edward Caldwell's.
He had personally confirmed that Eleanor retained ownership of her original designs.
Daniel began reviewing the financial files.
Then he stopped.
“Madison, look at this.”
A series of transfers had been made through a company called Cross Heritage Partners.
The money originated from the Caldwell collection's licensing accounts.
But the destination accounts were connected to Adrian personally.
The total exceeded eighteen million dollars.
I frowned.
“Wasn't twenty-four million already identified?”
“Yes. The original investigation focused on the money transferred from your mother's trust. These records reveal an additional stream of stolen licensing revenue.”
I stared at the figures.
Adrian had not simply helped Victoria steal.
He had been stealing for himself.
Daniel immediately contacted the financial investigators.
Within hours, an official request was issued to preserve the company's remaining records.
That evening, Adrian called me.
I answered on speaker.
“Miss Hayes.”
“Mr. Cross.”
“I understand you've been asking questions about my business.”
“Your business?”
He laughed.
“Be careful. You're making accusations you cannot support.”
“I have your recordings.”
Silence.
Then his voice became colder.
“Those recordings are private.”
“So were my mother's designs.”
“You don't understand what you're involved in.”
“Then explain it.”
He paused.
“You have forty-eight hours to withdraw your legal claims. Otherwise, I will release documents showing that Eleanor transferred the collection willingly.”
I smiled faintly.
“Is that another forged agreement?”
His breathing changed.
“You have no idea what you're doing.”
I ended the call.
Daniel looked at me.
“He just threatened you.”
I nodded.
“Good.”
“Good?”
“Now we have evidence of intimidation, too.”
May you like
I looked toward the recording equipment.
“Let's make sure the authorities hear every word.”
