Chapter 5 - The Documents on the ScreenThe first financial report appeared on the screen behind me. Then another. Then another. The ballroom became increasingly quiet with every page.

Bellamy Urban Partners had been presenting figures that did not align with its internal records. Consulting payments had gone to a business connected with Vienna. Several loans contained guarantees that raised serious questions. Company funds had passed through accounts never disclosed to Corbin's investment committee.

Vienna looked directly at Garrison. "You told me those payments had been approved."

"Please stop talking," he muttered.

I continued. "During the past eighteen months, our auditors identified a pattern involving undisclosed transfers, modified agreements, and inaccurate representations provided to lenders."

Another document appeared. This one displayed my name. Or, more precisely, something designed to resemble my signature.

Preston joined me on the stage carrying a dark leather folder. "Mr. Bellamy attempted to use assets associated with the Corbin family trust as security for a private loan," he explained. "Those assets were never legally available for his use."

Garrison rose again. "This is absurd."

Preston opened the folder. "We have the original correspondence."

Then a recording played. Garrison's voice echoed throughout the ballroom.

"Marisol doesn't understand financial paperwork. Tell her it's related to the house. She'll sign whatever I place in front of her."

I had already listened to the recording privately. Hearing those words again still affected me. Not because I believed what he said. Because I remembered the person I once believed he was.

Then Vienna unexpectedly reached into her handbag. She pulled out a small flash drive.

"I have additional records."

Garrison turned toward her immediately. "Vienna."

She moved farther away from him. "You were preparing to make me responsible for all of this."

"Don't do this."

"You already did."

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She handed the drive to Preston. Then she faced me. "He was collecting personal information about you. He believed he could eventually claim that you weren't prepared to manage major financial decisions. He wanted authority over whatever assets he thought belonged to you."

For the first time that evening, I was genuinely unsettled. The affair had hurt. The dishonesty had hurt. But this was something different. My husband had not simply been preparing to leave our marriage. He had apparently been preparing to weaken my decision-making authority until he could make important choices in my place.