Chapter 7: The Father Who Sold Her Future
Maya stared at Daniel's face through the video call.
"My father?""
Daniel nodded slowly.
"His name appears on the authorization document.""
Maya shook her head.
"That's impossible. My father left when I was eight. He hasn't called me in years.""
"I understand, sweetheart. But someone claiming to represent him submitted the paperwork.""
"Was he there?""
"I don't know yet.""
Maya looked down at her hands.
She remembered her father, Michael Carter, as a man who smelled of coffee and aftershave. He used to carry her on his shoulders and let her draw imaginary dresses on the backs of his business receipts.
When she was seven, he had taken her to a fabric store and bought her a small sewing kit.
"You have creative hands, Maya," he had told her.
"Never let anyone make you ashamed of that.""
A year later, he was gone.
Vanessa told Maya that he had abandoned them because he didn't want the responsibility of raising two daughters.
Maya had believed her.
Now his name was appearing on documents connected to her inheritance.
"Mr. Brooks," she whispered, "does my father know about Grandma's company?""
"That's something we need to establish.""
"Can you find him?""
Daniel nodded.
"I've already asked our investigators to locate him.""
Maya swallowed.
"Please don't tell Mom yet.""
"I won't.""
After the call ended, Maya remained beside the sewing machine.
She picked up her grandmother's old measuring tape and wrapped it around her fingers.
For years, she had imagined what she would say if her father ever returned.
She had planned to ask why he left.
Now she had a much bigger question.
Why had he signed away something that belonged to her?
The next morning, Maya arrived at Daniel's office.
He was waiting with a folder and a glass of orange juice.
"Good morning, Maya.""
"Did you find him?""
Daniel nodded.
"Your father is currently living in another state. He owns a small construction company.""
"Is he coming?""
"I contacted him yesterday. He agreed to meet us.""
Maya's stomach tightened.
"When?""
"This afternoon.""
She looked at the photographs on Daniel's desk.
One showed her father standing beside a construction site.
He looked older. His hair was thinner, and there were lines around his eyes.
But it was definitely him.
"Does he know I'm here?""
"Yes.""
Maya sat down.
"What if he doesn't want to see me?""
Daniel moved the photograph aside.
"Then that will be his loss, not yours.""
At three o'clock, the office door opened.
Michael Carter walked inside wearing a gray jacket and carrying a worn leather briefcase.
He stopped when he saw Maya.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then his eyes filled.
"Maya?""
She stood slowly.
"Hi, Dad.""
Michael took one step forward.
"Look at you.""
He tried to smile.
"You've grown so much.""
Maya didn't move.
"Why did you leave?""
The question came out quietly.
Michael's smile disappeared.
He looked at Daniel, who gestured toward the chairs.
"Perhaps we should sit down.""
Michael placed his briefcase on the floor.
"I know I owe you an explanation.""
"You owe me more than that.""
He nodded.
"You're right.""
Maya folded her arms.
"Did you sign the papers transferring Grandma's designs?""
Michael looked confused.
"What papers?""
Daniel opened the folder.
"This authorization bears your signature. It was submitted as part of a transaction involving the Evelyn Carter Trust's historical archive.""
Michael studied the document.
His expression changed.
"That's not my signature.""
Maya stared at him.
"You're sure?""
"Absolutely.""
He pointed to the bottom of the page.
"Look at the way the M is formed. I always sign with a loop here.""
Daniel examined it.
"You're saying this document was forged?""
Michael nodded.
"Someone copied my signature.""
Maya's heart began pounding.
"Who would do that?""
Michael looked at the paper again.
Then he slowly raised his eyes.
"Vanessa.""
Daniel leaned forward.
"Why would your former wife have access to your signature?""
Michael rubbed his forehead.
"Because she contacted me about six months ago.""
Maya felt the room tilt.
"What did she tell you?""
Michael looked at his daughter.
"She said your grandmother had left behind some unfinished business. She told me she needed copies of old documents to settle an estate matter.""
"Did you send them?""
"I sent copies of my old identification and some paperwork because she said it was urgent.""
Daniel's expression hardened.
"That may explain how someone obtained material to imitate your signature.""
Michael looked horrified.
"I didn't know she was planning this.""
Maya's voice cracked.
"Why didn't you come to see me?""
Michael lowered his head.
"Because I was ashamed.""
"Of what?""
"Of leaving.""
He took a breath.
"Your mother and I had a terrible marriage. After your grandmother died, Vanessa told me she didn't want me around the girls. She said I was making everything worse.""
Maya stared at him.
"So you just believed her?""
"No. I tried to contact you.""
"When?""
"Several times. Your mother told me you didn't want to speak to me.""
Maya felt tears gathering.
"She never told me you called.""
Michael closed his eyes.
"I know that now.""
For a moment, the room was silent.
Then Daniel turned to another page.
"There's something else. The archive wasn't simply transferred. It was sold to a private buyer.""
Michael looked at him.
"Who?""
Daniel slid the document across the desk.
The buyer's name was listed at the top.
*BRIANNA CARTER.*
Maya stopped breathing.
"My sister?""
Daniel nodded.
"The transaction was completed through a newly registered company under her name.""
Michael stared at the document.
"Vanessa used Brianna?""
Maya shook her head.
"No. Brianna wouldn't know how to buy an entire fashion archive.""
Daniel remained serious.
"Whether she understood the transaction or not, her company is listed as the purchaser.""
Michael turned toward Maya.
"Have you spoken to your sister?""
Maya nodded.
"She took my dress. She told everyone she designed it.""
Michael's expression darkened.
"She did what?""
Maya looked down.
Michael slowly stood.
"I need to speak to Vanessa.""
Daniel raised a hand.
"Not yet. We need to be careful. If she realizes we have discovered the forged authorization, she may move the remaining assets.""
Michael sat back down.
"Then what do we do?""
Daniel looked at Maya.
"We find the archive before it disappears.""
That evening, Brianna received a call from an unknown number.
"Hello?""
A man's voice answered.
"Miss Carter, this is Daniel Brooks's office. We need you to preserve all documents related to Carter Heritage Holdings.""
Brianna frowned.
"Why?""
"Your company appears in a transaction involving assets belonging to the Evelyn Carter Trust.""
She went pale.
"I don't know anything about that.""
"Then you should have no difficulty providing the records.""
After the call ended, Brianna immediately dialed her mother.
"Mom, we have a problem.""
Vanessa answered impatiently.
"What now?""
"Daniel knows about the archive.""
Silence.
Then Vanessa spoke.
"Did you tell him anything?""
"No!""
"Where are the documents?""
"In my apartment.""
"Don't touch them. I'll come over.""
Brianna lowered her voice.
"Mom, did you actually forge Dad's signature?""
Vanessa didn't answer.
"Mom?""
Finally, Vanessa whispered:
"There's something you don't understand, Brianna.""
"What?""
"Your grandmother didn't leave everything to Maya because she loved her more.""
Brianna frowned.
"Then why?""
"Because Evelyn knew something about your father. Something that could have destroyed this family.""
May you like
Vanessa hung up.
And for the first time, Brianna wondered whether the secret her mother had been hiding was much worse than stolen money.
