After Marrying A Terminally Ill Billionaire Corporate Executive To Fulfill His Final Wish, A Grieving Director Uncovers Her Close Friend's $45 Million Betrayal Through Recovered Texts, Forcing A Qu...
The HR committee room was sterile, cold. Three HR representatives sat at a long, polished table, their faces impassive. Across from me sat Aunt Beatrice and Cousin Derek, looking uncharacteristically somber. Chloe was conspicuously absent.
“Thank you all for attending,” Ms. Albright, the head of HR, began, her voice crisp. “Ms. Lin, your aunt and cousin have expressed some concerns regarding your well-being and, by extension, your capacity to fulfill your duties at Vantage, particularly concerning the recent inheritance from Mr. Wright’s estate.”
Aunt Beatrice nodded gravely, dabbing at the corner of her eye with a pristine tissue. Derek simply stared straight ahead, a mixture of feigned concern and genuine avarice in his eyes.
“Maya, darling,” Aunt Beatrice began, her voice thick with false sympathy. “We just want to make sure you’re getting the help you need. This has all been so much for you. Losing Julian, then suddenly being thrust into such a high-profile position on the board…”
She paused, clearly expecting me to interject. I remained silent, my gaze fixed on her. I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.
“Our concern,” Derek chimed in, less subtly, “is that Maya might not be thinking clearly. Julian was very wealthy. And for such a large estate to pass to someone who might be, well, compromised emotionally…”
He trailed off, letting the implication hang.
Ms. Albright shifted in her seat. “And what exactly are you proposing, Mr. Derek?”
“A temporary guardianship, perhaps?” Aunt Beatrice suggested, her eyes wide and innocent. “Just until Maya is, you know, stable. And of course, an independent audit of the estate. To ensure everything is handled with utmost integrity.”
My jaw tightened. An independent audit, managed by them. This was the playbook Chloe had clearly laid out.
“And how would this ‘independent audit’ protect Maya’s best interests?” I asked, my voice calm, but with an edge I hoped they detected.
Aunt Beatrice smiled, a predatory flash in her eyes. “Well, for instance, a portion of the estate could be set aside for family counsel. For our time and efforts in navigating this sensitive situation. Say, 10% of the non-corporate assets for our advisory role.”
Derek leaned forward, unable to contain himself. “And a stipend. For our inconvenience. We’ve had to take time out of our very busy schedules, coming all the way here, you know.”
One of the other HR reps scribbled furiously on a notepad. Their requests were revealing. They weren’t truly concerned about me; they were looking for a payout.
“And who put you up to this, Aunt Beatrice?” I asked directly, cutting through her performative empathy. “Was it Chloe Bennett?”
Aunt Beatrice’s composure cracked. Her eyes darted to Derek, then quickly back to me. “Maya, don’t be ridiculous. Chloe is simply a concerned friend.”
“A concerned friend who reached out to you, my estranged relatives, to question my mental fitness and demand a cut of my inheritance?” I pressed. “A convenient coincidence, wouldn’t you say?”
Derek shifted uncomfortably. “Look, we just want what’s fair. Chloe said you’d be reasonable.”
The words hung in the air, a direct confirmation of Chloe’s involvement. The HR committee members exchanged glances. Their pens stopped. Even if they couldn’t explicitly take sides, the coordination was undeniable. Aunt Beatrice’s face flushed crimson.
“This meeting is adjourned,” Ms. Albright said, her voice firm. “We will review the concerns raised. Ms. Lin, we will be in touch.”
As I stood to leave, Aunt Beatrice tried one last attempt at a performance. “We just love you, Maya, and want the best for you.”
I simply looked at her, then at Derek. “You’ve shown me exactly what you want,” I said, and walked out, the recovered text messages in my digital bag feeling heavier, more potent, than ever before.
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