Chapter 15 - Vivian's Version
Vivian arrived at the next hearing with a binder of photographs, messages and calendar entries intended to show that I had been involved in financial affairs.
Some were genuine.
I had advised Preston about contract language and helped organize documents for tax season.
None authorized borrowing in my name.
Vivian spoke as though the distinction were an irritating technicality.
"Amelia was part of everything," she insisted.
"She knew how this family operated."
"Did she sign the guaranty in your presence?" opposing counsel asked on examination.
"Not exactly."
"Did she authorize you to sign on her behalf?"
"I understood she would support the family."
The judge asked her to answer the legal question rather than describe her feelings.
Vivian finally admitted she had no direct authorization.
Then she tried to blame Preston for confusing her.
He leaned forward in his chair, visibly stunned.
Arthur watched the exchange with his hands folded.
He had been silent for hours, but his silence no longer seemed confident.
I introduced a calendar entry showing I was out of the country on the date of the alleged board vote.
Vivian said the date might have been entered incorrectly.
I supplied the certified corporate formation record proving the company did not yet exist.
That second contradiction left less room for explanation.
Still, the court would need the full record before making final findings.
Outside the courthouse, Vivian reached for my arm and stopped when I stepped away.
"I treated you like a daughter," she said.
"You treated me like an employee who wasn't allowed to resign."
Her expression hardened.
"You'll never understand what we did to protect Preston."
"Then stop protecting him from the truth."
She moved closer, lowering her voice.
"Your husband isn't the one who started this."
Behind her, Arthur appeared at the courthouse doors.
Vivian's face changed.
She said nothing more.
May you like
But for the first time, I believed she might be afraid of him.
