Chapter 6 - THE SIGNATURE THEY STOLE FROM HER.
Ella recognized the signature because it looked almost perfect.
The slant, pressure, and spacing matched the hundreds of documents she had signed while assisting her father.
Only one detail was wrong.
Ella always placed a small dot beneath the final letter of her surname when signing personal agreements.
The dot was missing.
Owen claimed the difference proved nothing.
Vivian said Ella had probably signed the amendment and forgotten.
The accusation was deliberate.
Rich families rarely called a woman a liar directly when they could suggest she was confused.
Mr. Hale asked where the document had been notarized.
The stamp belonged to a Price family law firm in Manhattan.
The notary listed on the page had died eight months before the stated signing date.
Blair stepped away from Owen.
Until that moment, she had enjoyed watching Ella’s humiliation.
Now she understood that a man willing to forge his fiancée’s signature could do the same to anyone.
Owen told Blair not to become dramatic.
The phrase made Ella laugh once, without humor.
He had used it on both women whenever their feelings became inconvenient.
Nathan explained that the hidden amendment would have allowed Owen to pledge Ward trust assets against Price Industries’ debt.
If the company failed, Ella’s inheritance could have been seized before she knew it had been placed at risk.
Vivian defended the plan as necessary to preserve generations of Price employees.
Ella asked why the family mansion, private aircraft, art collection, and vacation properties had not been offered first.
No one answered.
Poor workers were always expected to sacrifice before wealthy owners considered living with less.
Mr. Hale photographed every page and sent the files to Daniel Ward’s legal team.
Owen reached for Ella’s phone.
Nathan stopped him.
Then Blair quietly opened her red clutch and removed a small recording device.
“I knew Owen was lying about something,” she said.
She pressed play.
May you like
Vivian’s voice filled the room.
“Once Ella signs, we won’t need Daniel Ward alive in the company.”
