Chapter 14 - THE FRIEND WHO KNEW EVERY SECRET
Savannah stared at Rebecca’s signature until the letters blurred.
Rebecca.
Her closest friend since college.
The person who had held her while she cried outside the rehabilitation center.
The person who knew about her fake identity, her mother, and her growing feelings for Ethan.
“She sold me out,” Savannah whispered.
Ethan gently touched her shoulder.
“We don’t know the whole story.”
Savannah looked up.
“She signed their contract!”
“Then we find out why.”
They arranged a meeting at a quiet restaurant in downtown Denver.
Rebecca arrived ten minutes late.
The moment she saw Ethan beside Savannah, she stopped.
Savannah didn’t bother with small talk.
“How much did Linda pay you?”
Rebecca’s face crumpled.
“Savannah—”
“How much?”
“Nothing.”
Savannah laughed bitterly.
“Then why is your signature on her contract?”
Rebecca reached into her bag.
“Because my brother worked for Daniel.”
Savannah froze.
Rebecca explained that her younger brother, Jason, had discovered irregular payments while working as a junior accountant.
When he threatened to report them, Daniel accused him of embezzlement.
Linda offered to make the charges disappear.
In exchange, Rebecca had to provide information about Savannah’s return.
“I thought I could protect both of you,” Rebecca whispered.
“You should have told me.”
“I know.”
Tears streamed down Rebecca’s face.
“But I kept copies of everything.”
She placed a flash drive on the table.
“Every message. Every payment. Every threat.”
Ethan immediately contacted the investigators.
Within hours, federal agents had enough evidence to execute coordinated search warrants.
Daniel was arrested while attempting to board a private jet.
Dr. Hale was detained for questioning.
Linda tried to flee her mansion through a rear entrance.
But Claire had already given investigators the security codes.
Savannah watched from across the street as Linda was escorted into a waiting vehicle.
For the first time in seventeen years, the woman who had terrorized her family looked powerless.
Yet the battle was not finished.
At the preliminary court hearing, Linda’s attorney presented a document claiming Margaret had voluntarily transferred ownership of Reed Horizon.
Savannah felt her stomach drop.
The signature looked real.
The notarization appeared valid.
Then Margaret Reed entered the courtroom in a wheelchair.
Richard pushed her slowly down the aisle.
Savannah rushed toward them.
“Mom?”
Margaret lifted her head.
Her speech was still difficult, but her voice was steady.
“That signature... is mine.”
The courtroom fell silent.
Linda smiled.
Then Margaret continued.
“But I signed it under a different name.”
May you like
She reached into her bag.
And produced the original document.
