Chapter 8: THE SIGNATURE THAT WASN'T MINE

I stared at the initials in the corner of the note.

C.H.

Chloe Hart.

Once Elena agrees, Richard will have no reason to interfere.

My stepsister wasn't merely aware of Marcus's plans. She was involved.

But why would my agreement make Dad stop interfering?

Unless they intended to use my name and position to push him aside.

I took a photograph of the note before carefully returning it to the folder.

I wasn't going to confront Chloe. Not yet.

If they believed I was still the trusting girl they remembered, I would let them continue believing it.

The first thing I needed was information.

The next morning, I found Mr. Bennett in his office.

"Miss Elena. Good morning."

"Good morning. I wanted to ask about Marcus's management proposal."

His expression changed slightly.

"Mr. Cole's proposal?"

"Yes. Did Dad request it?"

"Your father asked me to prepare some company reports for you. The preliminary proposal was among the documents Mr. Cole submitted."

"Did Dad approve it?"

"Not to my knowledge."

I nodded.

"Has Marcus requested access to any confidential company records?"

Mr. Bennett removed his glasses.

"He recently made inquiries about several investment accounts. I directed him to your father because he has no authority to access those records."

My fingers tightened around my handbag.

"Has he been given any position in Hart Group?"

"Absolutely not."

"Then I'd like to make sure it stays that way."

Mr. Bennett studied me.

"Is there something I should know?"

"I simply want to understand the company before anyone makes decisions on my behalf."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"I can arrange for you to review the departmental reports."

"Thank you. And please don't discuss our conversation with Marcus."

He nodded.

As I left, one thought troubled me.

Marcus wasn't waiting for permission to enter Hart Group.

He was already looking for a way in.

That afternoon, I found Chloe in the garden.

She was sitting beneath an umbrella, scrolling through her phone. When she saw me, she smiled brightly.

"Elena! Come sit with me."

I took the chair opposite her.

"You're in a good mood."

"Why wouldn't I be?"

She put her phone aside.

"Marcus came over this morning. He said you two had a disagreement about the company."

"He told you that?"

"Of course. We talk about everything."

I studied her face.

"What exactly did he say?"

"That you've suddenly become interested in business." She tilted her head. "I think it's wonderful, but don't you think you're putting too much pressure on yourself?"

"I'm perfectly capable of learning."

"Of course. I only think you should enjoy life while you can. You've barely had time to settle after graduation."

I smiled faintly.

"That's kind of you to worry."

She reached across the table and touched my hand.

"Marcus only wants to help. You know how much he cares about you."

I gently withdrew my hand.

"Do you think he should be given access to Dad's financial records?"

Her fingers froze.

"What?"

"His proposal includes access to confidential information. I was wondering what you thought."

"I don't know anything about the details."

"Really?"

"Why would I?"

I held her gaze for another moment before standing.

"You're right. I shouldn't have asked."

As I walked away, I could feel her watching me.

Chloe was hiding something.

And I intended to find out what.

Marcus arrived that evening.

Dad invited him into the sitting room, where I was already having tea.

"Good evening, sweetheart," Marcus greeted me.

"Good evening."

He sat beside me and placed a slim folder on the table.

"I've revised the management proposal. I wanted to address your concerns."

Dad opened it.

The new version described Marcus as a temporary adviser who would assist me with selected projects.

It sounded harmless.

Almost too harmless.

"Why does this proposal require my approval?" I asked.

Marcus turned toward me.

"Because you're the person who will eventually benefit from the arrangement."

"Have I asked you to become my adviser?"

His smile stiffened.

"Elena, I'm only trying to make things easier for you."

"Then perhaps you should allow me to decide what I need."

Dad closed the folder.

"I agree. There's no reason to rush this decision."

Marcus nodded.

"Of course. I wouldn't want Elena to feel pressured."

He turned toward me.

"Perhaps we can discuss it privately tomorrow."

"I'd rather review everything properly before making any decision."

For a moment, his pleasant expression disappeared.

Then Dad stood to get some coffee, leaving us alone.

Marcus leaned closer.

"You really don't trust me anymore, do you?"

I looked at him.

"Trust takes time."

"After everything we've shared?"

"Especially after everything we've shared."

His jaw tightened.

Before he could respond, Dad returned.

Marcus immediately put on his familiar smile.

I almost admired how quickly he could change his expression.

Almost.

Later that night, Dad called me into his study.

When I entered, Mr. Bennett was standing beside his desk.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

Dad handed me a document.

I scanned the heading and felt my stomach drop.

It was an authorization form granting Marcus Cole temporary access to several confidential Hart Group accounts.

My name appeared at the bottom.

Beneath it was a signature that looked exactly like mine.

"I didn't sign this."

Dad's expression hardened.

"Are you certain?"

"Absolutely."

Mr. Bennett stepped forward.

"The document was delivered this afternoon. It states that you personally requested Mr. Cole's assistance."

I checked the date.

Two days earlier.

That was before Marcus had even presented his revised proposal.

My hands began to tremble.

"Who delivered it?"

"Marcus," Dad answered. "He said you had already discussed the arrangement with him."

My heart pounded.

He had forged my signature.

"Don't process it," I said. "It's a forgery."

Mr. Bennett nodded.

"I'll ensure nothing is approved until we investigate."

Dad looked at me.

"Elena, why would Marcus do something like this?"

I couldn't tell him everything I knew.

But I could no longer pretend this was a simple misunderstanding.

Then Mr. Bennett turned the document over.

"There's another detail."

He pointed to a section at the bottom.

It contained a witness confirmation.

I read the name.

Chloe Hart.

My stomach twisted.

Beneath her name was a handwritten statement:

Miss Elena Hart personally authorized this arrangement in my presence.

I stared at it.

Chloe hadn't merely known about Marcus's plan.

She had helped make the forgery look legitimate.

"She wasn't there," I whispered.

Dad's expression darkened.

Before either of us could speak, his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen.

"Marcus?"

I watched his face change as he listened.

"What do you mean you're outside?"

He ended the call and looked at me.

"Marcus is here."

I tightened my grip on the document.

Then Dad glanced toward the study door.

"Chloe is in the house. I'll ask her to join us."

My heart began to race.

They were both going to face the same accusation.

And I had a feeling neither of them would tell the truth.