Serena’s Father Wants His Deposit Back
Chapter 05 - Serena’s Father Wants His Deposit Back
Victor Vale arrived the next morning with twelve attorneys.
His company had paid a two-hundred-million-dollar merger deposit. He demanded repayment and threatened to seize Hartwell factories as collateral.
Samuel examined the agreement.
The deposit had not gone to Crowe-Hartwell Industries.
It went to a shell company named C&H Continuity Partners.
Julian and Serena owned it jointly.
Victor stared at his daughter.
“You told me the company received the money.”
Serena looked toward Julian.
He said nothing.
The merger had been designed to enrich both families before closing. If the Hartwell claim disappeared, C&H would purchase protected assets at a reduced valuation, then sell them to Vale Shipping at market value.
Victor had funded his daughter’s side company without reading the beneficiary structure.
He had considered Julian trustworthy because Julian belonged to the correct social circle.
Serena’s humiliation at the ballroom had been real.
So was her participation.
She knew Vivian lived on the estate and supported the plan to make her sign a relinquishment. She believed Vivian was a dependent distant cousin seeking attention.
Julian had not told her Vivian was the controlling beneficiary.
Serena requested a private meeting.
Vivian agreed with attorneys present.
“I did not know what he did to the employee trust,” Serena said.
“You knew he was forcing me to sign.”
“I thought you were threatening the merger.”
“I was.”
Serena’s expression tightened.
“You could destroy thousands of jobs.”
“The merger would erase thousands of pensions.”
“My father’s company would have preserved operations.”
“While your shell company collected the difference.”
Serena looked away.
She offered to return her portion of the deposit in exchange for Vivian supporting reduced charges.
Vivian refused to bargain personally.
“Give evidence to prosecutors. Repay what you took. The court decides.”
Serena asked whether Vivian hated her.
“Yes, some days.”
The answer surprised both women.
Vivian continued.
“My feelings are not a sentencing guideline.”
Serena later surrendered emails showing Julian ordered security to stage the ballroom confrontation. He wanted Vivian publicly discredited before witnesses who could support a competency challenge.
The relinquishment was only one plan.
If she refused, Julian intended to portray her as unstable and violent.
The champagne-colored gown had been selected by Serena’s stylist because its narrow skirt made standing quickly difficult.
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Vivian remembered struggling on one knee while the room watched.
Even the dress had been part of the architecture.
