CHAPTER 3: THE LIES UNRAVEL
Robert wasn't finished.
"There is another matter."
Everyone looked at him.
He removed a second folder.
Much thicker than the first.
"This contains financial records from the last eighteen months."
My mother's breathing became uneven.
Chloe slowly sat back down.
Robert slid several bank statements across the table.
"More than two million dollars was withdrawn from company accounts before Mr. Brooks passed away."
I stared at the numbers.
"Who authorized this?"
Robert answered quietly.
"Your mother."
Gasps filled the room.
Robert continued.
"Luxury vehicles."
He placed down photographs.
"The SUV."
"Designer jewelry."
"International vacations."
"Private shopping accounts."
Every item belonged to Chloe.
Jason looked at Chloe in disbelief.
"You told me you bought those with your business..."
She couldn't answer.
Robert placed one final document onto the table.
"A forensic accountant completed this report yesterday."
He looked directly at my mother.
"The withdrawals constitute fraud."
The room exploded.
My uncle stood.
Neighbors whispered.
Family friends began leaving one by one.
No one wanted to be associated with what they were witnessing.
Then my mother finally broke.
"I only wanted Chloe to have security!"
"You stole from Dad," I whispered.
"No..."
"You stole from all of us."
Chloe burst into tears.
May you like
But this time...
No one comforted her.
