Marcus returned to her, furious. “I’m sorry, Mom. I gave you a property with a hidden criminal debt attached to it.”
“You didn’t know.”
“I should have known.”
“No,” she said firmly. “The person who betrayed you should carry the shame. Not you.”
His phone rang again.Plan Family Trips
It was the head of corporate security.Resort vacation packages
“Chairman, we have another issue. The electronic accounting archive was accessed four minutes ago. Files connected to the loan are being deleted from inside the building.”
Marcus’s eyes narrowed. “Thomas is not working alone.”
Just then, the suite door opened and two security officers entered with Lisa between them.
She no longer wore her polished smile. Her uniform jacket had been removed, her mascara was streaked, and her wrists trembled as she clutched a small handbag.
Marcus’s expression turned icy.
“Why is she still here?”
One officer replied, “Sir, she was found in the staff records room trying to remove a flash drive from a computer.”
Lisa shook her head wildly. “No! I was trying to copy proof before they erased it.”
Marcus stepped closer. “You assaulted my mother. You threatened us. Now you expect me to believe you suddenly want to help?”Mother's Day gifts
Lisa looked at Evelyn.
For the first time, there was no contempt in her eyes. Only terror.
“Mrs. Carter,” she whispered, “Director Thomas told me you were a scammer before you ever reached the desk.”
Evelyn stiffened.
Lisa spoke faster, desperate to be heard.
“He called reception fifteen minutes before you arrived. He described your dress, your purse, even the reservation envelope. He said you were a known fraud who would try to claim ownership rights to the hotel. He ordered me not to scan your papers under any circumstances.”
Marcus stepped forward. “Why would Thomas know my mother was arriving?”
Lisa started crying. “Because he knew what was inside her envelope.”
Evelyn slowly looked down at the torn papers Marcus had saved from the lobby floor.
“My reservation?”Track Pregnancy
Lisa shook her head.
“No. Your proof of ownership.”
What Was Hidden in the Torn Envelope
Marcus stared at his mother.
“Mom, what papers did you bring with you?”
Evelyn appeared confused. “I thought they were part of your birthday surprise. A courier delivered the envelope yesterday morning. It said I should bring it unopened to the Grand Imperial lobby at six o’clock.”
Marcus’s expression changed instantly.
“I did not send that envelope.”
Silence filled the room.
Evelyn pressed one hand to her mouth.Prevent Fraud
Lisa continued, “Thomas told me if I saw an elderly woman with a cream dress and a brown purse, I had to destroy whatever she handed over. He said the hotel would be sued if those papers entered the system.”
Marcus turned to security. “Bring every fragment of those torn documents upstairs now.”