Chapter 3 - THE ENGAGEMENT SHE NEVER AGREED TO
Nora stared at the diamond ring as though Miles had pulled a weapon from his jacket.
"No."
The word was quiet.
But everyone heard it.
Miles blinked.
"What?"
"No, Miles."
His smile tightened.
"Nora, don't embarrass yourself."
She slowly stood.
"I'm not embarrassing myself. I'm answering your question."
Diane hurried toward us.
"Sweetheart, perhaps we should discuss this privately."
Nora shook her head.
"You arranged this?"
Her mother glanced toward the guests.
"Lower your voice."
"No."
I didn't move.
This was Nora's decision.
She was making it clearly.
Miles rose from his knee.
His expression had changed.
The polished gentleman was disappearing.
"You should think carefully," he said.
Nora stared.
"About what?"
"Our families have commitments."
"Your family has commitments. Mine apparently has secrets."
Margaret Bennett placed her napkin on the table.
"Well said."
Diane turned sharply.
"Mother, please."
Margaret ignored her.
She looked at Miles.
"Put that ring away, young man."
A few guests exchanged nervous glances.
Then Margaret turned toward Nora.
"Come with me."
Nora looked at me.
I nodded.
"I'll be here."
But she didn't release my hand.
"You're coming too."
We followed Margaret into a small private sitting room.
The moment the door closed, Nora spoke.
"Grandma, what did Mom sign?"
Margaret's expression became serious.
"A financing agreement."
"For Bennett Events?"
"Yes."
Nora frowned.
"With Miles's family?"
Margaret nodded.
"Three months ago."
Nora's face changed.
"Three months?"
The same period she'd told her family she was starting to date me.
An unfortunate coincidence.
Or perhaps something much worse.
Margaret continued.
"Your mother borrowed four million dollars from Harper Capital."
Nora's lips parted.
"Four million?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because Bennett Events has been losing money."
Nora shook her head.
"Mom said the company was expanding."
Margaret smiled sadly.
"That's what she told everyone."
I leaned forward.
"What were the repayment terms?"
Margaret looked at me.
"That's why I wanted to meet you."
She opened her handbag.
Inside was a folded document.
A loan agreement.
I scanned the pages.
Then stopped.
One clause was unusually aggressive.
If Bennett Events failed to satisfy certain obligations by September first, Harper Capital could seek control of valuable company assets.
Including an old waterfront property.
I looked toward Nora.
"Who owns the property listed here?"
She frowned.
"The old carriage house?"
Margaret shook her head.
"No, sweetheart."
Her voice softened.
"The bakery building your grandfather left you."
Nora's face went white.
"That's impossible."
Margaret nodded grimly.
"Your mother pledged it as collateral."
I stared at the contract.
Nora's signature appeared beside the authorization.
But she'd already begun shaking her head.
"I never signed anything."
And when I looked at the date, I understood why Miles had tried to propose.
May you like
The document was signed the night Nora was attending pastry school.
Someone had forged her name.
