Chloe started talking quickly.
“She’s lying. She has hated me since we were children.”
Arthur held up one document.
“This shows one million dollars leaving my medical foundation.”
“Someone hacked me.”
Marcus took another page.
“Chloe, what is ‘Ruiz Settlement Allocation’?”
She reached for the paper.
“It’s nothing.”
Then Mom stepped forward.
“Please don’t believe Valerie.”
I looked at her.
She continued.
“She has been emotionally unstable ever since she lost her leg as a child.”
The room around us began to quiet.
“She has always resented Chloe.”
I almost admired the consistency.
Even after nineteen years, Mom still knew exactly where to aim.
“Jealous?” I asked.
“Yes.”
She lifted her chin.
“Chloe had the life you wanted.”
Before I could answer, another voice came from the entrance.
“No.”
Everyone turned.
Daniela Ruiz rolled into the ballroom in a motorized wheelchair beside her attorney.
Chloe staggered backward.
Marcus stared.
Arthur Montalvo narrowed his eyes.
“Daniela?”
She looked at him.
“I worked in your accounting division until last month.”
