Chapter 8: The Forg## Chapter 8: The Forgery That Could Destroy Us Allery That Could Destroy Us All
At seven the next morning, I
At seven the next morning, I walked into the legal department carrying my walked into the legal department carrying my mother's letter.
Margaret Collins was already waiting.
She had spent most of the night reviewing the ownership mother's letter.
Margaret Collins was already waiting.
She had spent most of the night reviewing the ownership records and coordinating with the external legal team.
Three large folders covered the conference table.
“Good records and coordinating with the external legal team.
Three large folders covered the conference table.
“Good morning, Isabel.””
“Tell me you found Box 17.””
Margaret nodded.
“We did.””
I stopped.
“Where?””
morning, Isabel.””
“Tell me you found Box 17.””
Margaret nodded.
“We did.””
I stopped.
“Where?””
“It's in a private legal archive in Manhattan. The vault company confirmed that the original trust“It's in a private legal archive in Manhattan. The vault company confirmed that the original trust instrument remains in storage.””
“Who can access it?””
“Your father, Victor Mendoza, instrument remains in storage.””
“Who can access it?””
“Your father, Victor Mendoza, and the attorney who originally registered the trust.””
I frowned.
“Victor can still access it?””
“Techn and the attorney who originally registered the trust.””
I frowned.
“Victor can still access it?””
“Technically, yes. His name remains on the historical authorization list. But the vault company has been instructed not to release anything without additionalically, yes.
His name remains on the historical authorization list. But the vault company has been instructed not to release anything without additional verification.””
I pulled out a chair.
“Then arrange for us to collect it.””
Margaret opened the first folder.
“There verification.””
I pulled out a chair.
“Then arrange for us to collect it.””
Margaret opened the first folder.
“There is another development.””
She placed a printed email in front of me.
It was dated four days earlier.
The sender was Victor Mendoza.
The recipient was an attorney is another development.””
She placed a printed email in front of me.
It was dated four days earlier.
The sender was Victor Mendoza.
The recipient was an attorney at a London-based firm.
The subject line read:
*TRANSFER OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST — URGENT.*
at a London-based firm.
The subject line read:
*TRANSFER OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST — URGENT.*
I read the email.
Victor had requested that the offshore subsidiary receive temporary control of the waterfront property.
HeI read the email.
Victor had requested that the offshore subsidiary receive temporary control of the waterfront property.
He had described the transfer as an administrative requirement.
But the attachment was more troubling.
It contained a scanned document titled * had described the transfer as an administrative requirement.
But the attachment was more troubling.
It contained a scanned document titled Declaration of Beneficial Ownership.
My mother's name appeared at the top.
My signature appearedDeclaration of Beneficial Ownership.*
My mother's name appeared at the top.
My signature appeared beneath hers.
I stared at it.
“That's my signature.””
Margaret nodded.
“Or beneath hers.
I stared at it.
“That's my signature.””
Margaret nodded.
“Or a reproduction of it.””
I examined the document.
It claimed that I had voluntarily agreed to transfer a reproduction of it.””
I examined the document.
It claimed that I had voluntarily agreed to transfer my beneficial interest in Elena Holdings to a company controlled by Victor.
The date was three weeks earlier.
I looked my beneficial interest in Elena Holdings to a company controlled by Victor.
The date was three weeks earlier.
I looked up.
“I never signed this.””
“We know.””
“Who submitted it?””
“Northbridge Capital Advisory.””
I up.
“I never signed this.””
“We know.””
“Who submitted it?””
“Northbridge Capital Advisory.””
I pushed the document away.
“Then Victor wasn't merely trying to steal the property. He was trying to pushed the document away.
“Then Victor wasn't merely trying to steal the property. He was trying to make it look as though I had agreed to give it away.””
Margaret nodded.
“And make it look as though I had agreed to give it away.””
Margaret nodded.
“And if the transfer had been accepted, the financing could have proceeded without revealing the original ownership dispute if the transfer had been accepted, the financing could have proceeded without revealing the original ownership dispute.””
I leaned back.
“Would my father have discovered it?””
“Eventually. But by then, the offshore.””
I leaned back.
“Would my father have discovered it?””
“Eventually. But by then, the offshore company might have been able to argue that it had acquired the property in good faith.””
I company might have been able to argue that it had acquired the property in good faith.””
I looked at the signature again.
The letter I had signed to looked at the signature again.
The letter I had signed to authorize my first passport.
The signature on the ownership document.
They authorize my first passport.
The signature on the ownership document.
They were nearly identical.
Someone had copied it from an old record.
I felt sick.
“Who had access to my personal were nearly identical.
Someone had copied it from an old record.
I felt sick.
“Who had access to my personal documents?””
Margaret hesitated.
“Your uncle's office retained copies of several family records documents?””
Margaret hesitated.
“Your uncle's office retained copies of several family records from the original trust administration.””
I looked toward the glass wall.
Victor had known me from the original trust administration.””
I looked toward the glass wall.
Victor had known me since childhood.
He had attended my birthdays.
He had held my hand when my mother died.
He had watched me grow up.
since childhood.
He had attended my birthdays.
He had held my hand when my mother died.
He had watched me grow up.
And apparently, he had been collecting my signatures.
At 9And apparently, he had been collecting my signatures.
At 9:30 a.m., my father joined us.
He had not slept.
His eyes were red:30 a.m., my father joined us.
He had not slept.
His eyes were red, and he was carrying a small leather folder.
“I spoke with the original trust attorney,” he said.
“, and he was carrying a small leather folder.
“I spoke with the original trust attorney,” he said.
“Did he confirm the document?””
My father nodded.
“He remembers the day your mother signed the trust.””
“DoesDid he confirm the document?””
My father nodded.
“He remembers the day your mother signed the trust.””
“Does he have the original?””
“He believes he does. But he wants to examine the he have the original?””
“He believes he does. But he wants to examine the archive first.””
Margaret closed her folder.
“There's another issue, Arturo archive first.””
Margaret closed her folder.
“There's another issue, Arturo. Victor's lawyers have already contacted the property registry.””
My. Victor's lawyers have already contacted the property registry.””
My father frowned.
“What did they request?””
“A temporary restriction preventing any transfer father frowned.
“What did they request?””
“A temporary restriction preventing any transfer of the waterfront property.””
I stared at her.
“But why would Victor request that if he wants of the waterfront property.””
I stared at her.
“But why would Victor request that if he wants to acquire it?””
Margaret explained.
“Because he may be trying to prevent you from exercising your ownership rights before to acquire it?””
Margaret explained.
“Because he may be trying to prevent you from exercising your ownership rights before his own claim is established.””
My father looked at me.
“Your uncle is preparing for his own claim is established.””
My father looked at me.
“Your uncle is preparing for a legal confrontation.””
I nodded.
“Then let's give him one.””
At eleven, I received a call from Alejandro a legal confrontation.””
I nodded.
“Then let's give him one.””
At eleven, I received a call from Alejandro.
I nearly ignored it.
But something told me I should answer.
“What?””
.
I nearly ignored it.
But something told me I should answer.
“What?””
“Isabel, we need to meet.””
“I'm busy.””
“This concerns Victor.””
I looked at“Isabel, we need to meet.””
“I'm busy.””
“This concerns Victor.””
I looked at my father.
“Where are you?””
“At the De la Vega headquarters.””
“Then send your documents my father.
“Where are you?””
“At the De la Vega headquarters.””
“Then send your documents to Margaret.””
“I can't.””
“Why?””
“Because Victor has someone inside to Margaret.””
“I can't.””
“Why?””
“Because Victor has someone inside the company.””
I stood.
“What are you talking about?””
Alejandro lowered his voice.
“ the company.””
I stood.
“What are you talking about?””
Alejandro lowered his voice.
“Someone has been accessing our internal ownership records. The original shareholder register was alteredSomeone has been accessing our internal ownership records. The original shareholder register was altered last week.””
I closed my eyes.
“Who did it?””
“I don't know.””
“Then how last week.””
I closed my eyes.
“Who did it?””
“I don't know.””
“Then how do you know?””
“Because I found the original.””
I looked at my father.
He was listening now.
“Where?””
“In do you know?””
“Because I found the original.””
I looked at my father.
He was listening now.
“Where?””
“In my father's old office. There was a locked drawer behind the filing cabinet. I found the original shareholder register my father's old office.
There was a locked drawer behind the filing cabinet. I found the original shareholder register and a letter addressed to me.””
My heart began beating faster.
“What does the letter say?””
Alejandro was silent.
Then he and a letter addressed to me.””
My heart began beating faster.
“What does the letter say?””
Alejandro was silent.
Then he whispered:
“My father knew Victor was trying to take the land.””
I sat down.
“Bring the documents to our whispered:
“My father knew Victor was trying to take the land.””
I sat down.
“Bring the documents to our legal team.””
“I will.””
“And Alejandro?””
“Yes?””
“If you are legal team.””
“I will.””
“And Alejandro?””
“Yes?””
“If you are hiding anything else, this is your last opportunity to tell the truth.””
He exhaled.
hiding anything else, this is your last opportunity to tell the truth.””
He exhaled.
“There's something else.””
I waited.
“Your mother knew my father.””
The words made no sense.
“My“There's something else.””
I waited.
“Your mother knew my father.””
The words made no sense.
“My mother?””
“Yes.””
“How?””
“They met several times before my father died. He kept mother?””
“Yes.””
“How?””
“They met several times before my father died. He kept photographs of them together.””
I looked at my father.
He had gone completely still.
“Why didn't you photographs of them together.””
I looked at my father.
He had gone completely still.
“Why didn't you tell me this before?”” I asked.
“Because I only discovered the photographs this morning.””
I lowered my voice.
“ tell me this before?”” I asked.
“Because I only discovered the photographs this morning.””
I lowered my voice.
“Bring everything.””
At noon, Alejandro arrived carrying a black document caseBring everything.””
At noon, Alejandro arrived carrying a black document case.
He was accompanied by his company's legal director.
Margaret received them in the.
He was accompanied by his company's legal director.
Margaret received them in the conference room.
Alejandro placed three items on the table.
An original shareholder register.
A handwritten letter.
And a photograph.
conference room.
Alejandro placed three items on the table.
An original shareholder register.
A handwritten letter.
And a photograph.
The photograph showed my mother standing beside Eduardo De la Vega.
They were outside the waterfront warehouse.
My mother lookedThe photograph showed my mother standing beside Eduardo De la Vega.
They were outside the waterfront warehouse.
My mother looked younger than I remembered her from my childhood photographs.
Eduardo was holding a folder.
I touched the younger than I remembered her from my childhood photographs.
Eduardo was holding a folder.
I touched the edge of the picture.
“Why were they meeting?””
Alejandro opened the letter.
“My father wrote edge of the picture.
“Why were they meeting?””
Alejandro opened the letter.
“My father wrote this two months before he died.””
He read aloud.
*Victor has become increasingly aggressive about the property. Elena this two months before he died.””
He read aloud.
Victor has become increasingly aggressive about the property. Elena believes the original ownership agreement is being manipulated. I have advised her to keep the trust documents separate from our business believes the original ownership agreement is being manipulated. I have advised her to keep the trust documents separate from our business records.
If anything happens to me, my son must records.
If anything happens to me, my son must understand that the De la Vega company does not own the entire waterfront development.
The Mendoza family does understand that the De la Vega company does not own the entire waterfront development.
The Mendoza family does not owe us financing. We owe them honesty.
I looked at Alejandro.
“Your not owe us financing. We owe them honesty.*
I looked at Alejandro.
“Your father knew?””
He nodded.
“He knew my grandfather's company had retained father knew?””
He nodded.
“He knew my grandfather's company had retained ownership rights.””
Margaret examined the shareholder register.
“Why was this document not included ownership rights.””
Margaret examined the shareholder register.
“Why was this document not included in the financing proposal?””
Alejandro looked ashamed.
“Victor told me the original register had been destroyed.””
“And you believed him?””
in the financing proposal?””
Alejandro looked ashamed.
“Victor told me the original register had been destroyed.””
“And you believed him?””
“I had no reason to think otherwise.””
I looked at him.
“You had a reason to investigate“I had no reason to think otherwise.””
I looked at him.
“You had a reason to investigate.””
He lowered his eyes.
I continued.
“Your father left you a document explaining the ownership structure. You submitted a financing proposal without.””
He lowered his eyes.
I continued.
“Your father left you a document explaining the ownership structure. You submitted a financing proposal without disclosing it.””
“I know.””
“You allowed Camila to send disclosing it.””
“I know.””
“You allowed Camila to send confidential information to Northbridge.””
He looked at me.
“I know.””
“And you gave her a bracelet purchased confidential information to Northbridge.””
He looked at me.
“I know.””
“And you gave her a bracelet purchased through suspicious payments.””
He swallowed.
“Yes.””
For the first time, he didn't try to defend himself.
He through suspicious payments.””
He swallowed.
“Yes.””
For the first time, he didn't try to defend himself.
He simply sat there.
Margaret turned to the company legal director.
“Can you confirm the authenticity of the register?””
The simply sat there.
Margaret turned to the company legal director.
“Can you confirm the authenticity of the register?””
The man nodded.
“The original company seal is present. We will need a formal examination man nodded.
“The original company seal is present. We will need a formal examination, but it appears genuine.””
Margaret closed the folder.
“This changes the entire financing review, but it appears genuine.””
Margaret closed the folder.
“This changes the entire financing review.””
My father looked at Alejandro.
“Your father understood that the land belonged partly.””
My father looked at Alejandro.
“Your father understood that the land belonged partly to the Mendoza family. Why did you allow Victor to present it as an unrestricted De la Vega asset?””
Alejandro looked down to the Mendoza family. Why did you allow Victor to present it as an unrestricted De la Vega asset?””
Alejandro looked down.
“Because I wanted to save the company.””
My father answered quietly.
“And you were willing to sacrifice the.
“Because I wanted to save the company.””
My father answered quietly.
“And you were willing to sacrifice the truth to do it.””
Alejandro didn't respond.
At 2:15 p.m., Margaret received confirmation from the archive truth to do it.””
Alejandro didn't respond.
At 2:15 p.m., Margaret received confirmation from the archive.
Box 17 had been located.
The original trust instrument was inside.
But there was a problem.
Someone had attempted to access.
Box 17 had been located.
The original trust instrument was inside.
But there was a problem.
Someone had attempted to access the vault that morning using Victor's authorization.
The request had been rejected.
The person had then the vault that morning using Victor's authorization.
The request had been rejected.
The person had then asked for a copy of the inventory.
I looked at my father.
“Victor knows we're looking for it.””
My father nodded.
“Then we asked for a copy of the inventory.
I looked at my father.
“Victor knows we're looking for it.””
My father nodded.
“Then we need to collect it before he tries again.””
We left immediately.
The archive was located in a secure building near Midtown need to collect it before he tries again.””
We left immediately.
The archive was located in a secure building near Midtown.
A senior vault manager greeted us at reception.
“Mr.
A senior vault manager greeted us at reception.
“Mr. Mendoza. Ms.
Mendoza. We've been expecting you.””
He led us downstairs.
The vault corridor. Mendoza. Ms.
Mendoza. We've been expecting you.””
He led us downstairs.
The vault corridor smelled faintly of metal and cold stone.
A row of numbered cabinets smelled faintly of metal and cold stone.
A row of numbered cabinets lined the walls.
The manager stopped at Box 17.
He entered a code.
Then he lined the walls.
The manager stopped at Box 17.
He entered a code.
Then he inserted a key.
The compartment opened.
Inside was a thick envelope, several bound documents, and a small velvet inserted a key.
The compartment opened.
Inside was a thick envelope, several bound documents, and a small velvet pouch.
I recognized the handwriting on the envelope.
My mother's.
The manager placed everything on a pouch.
I recognized the handwriting on the envelope.
My mother's.
The manager placed everything on a padded table.
Margaret examined the seal.
“It's intact.””
My father touched the envelope.
“Your mother was padded table.
Margaret examined the seal.
“It's intact.””
My father touched the envelope.
“Your mother was very careful.””
I opened it.
The first document was the original trust instrument.
very careful.””
I opened it.
The first document was the original trust instrument.
The second was a property ownership certificate.
The third was a handwritten statement.
But the fourth document madeThe second was a property ownership certificate.
The third was a handwritten statement.
But the fourth document made me stop breathing.
It was a notarized declaration.
My mother had signed it two days before she died.
The me stop breathing.
It was a notarized declaration.
My mother had signed it two days before she died.
The statement confirmed that Victor had attempted to transfer her property interest without permission.
It also identified the person who had witnessed the original forged statement confirmed that Victor had attempted to transfer her property interest without permission.
It also identified the person who had witnessed the original forged document.
I read the name.
Then I read it again.
It wasn't an employee.
It wasn't an document.
I read the name.
Then I read it again.
It wasn't an employee.
It wasn't an attorney.
It was someone I knew.
Someone who had been part of my life for years.
I turned the document toward attorney.
It was someone I knew.
Someone who had been part of my life for years.
I turned the document toward my father.
He stared at the name.
His face drained of color.
“Impossible.””
The witness was my father.
He stared at the name.
His face drained of color.
“Impossible.””
The witness was Beatriz De la Vega.
Alejandro's mother.
Before we could leave the archive, Margaret Beatriz De la Vega.
Alejandro's mother.
Before we could leave the archive, Margaret's phone rang.
She listened for several seconds.
Then she looked at me.
“Ms. Mendoza, we have a's phone rang.
She listened for several seconds.
Then she looked at me.
“Ms. Mendoza, we have a problem.””
“What happened?””
“Beatriz De la Vega has just filed an problem.””
“What happened?””
“Beatriz De la Vega has just filed an emergency petition claiming that the original ownership transfer was valid.””
I gripped the document.
“How can emergency petition claiming that the original ownership transfer was valid.””
I gripped the document.
“How can she do that?””
“She's claiming she witnessed your mother voluntarily surrender her interest.””
I looked at the she do that?””
“She's claiming she witnessed your mother voluntarily surrender her interest.””
I looked at the signature.
My mother's signature.
My mother's handwriting.
My mother's declaration saying the opposite.
My father signature.
My mother's signature.
My mother's handwriting.
My mother's declaration saying the opposite.
My father slowly closed the archive box.
“Then Beatriz has been protecting Victor for years.””
I slowly closed the archive box.
“Then Beatriz has been protecting Victor for years.””
I shook my head.
“Why would she?””
My father looked at me.
“Because she may have been shook my head.
“Why would she?””
My father looked at me.
“Because she may have been promised something.””
I thought about the way Beatriz had behaved at the mansion.
Her sudden promised something.””
I thought about the way Beatriz had behaved at the mansion.
Her sudden friendliness.
Her insistence that I had once been part of her family.
Her desperation to stop the divorce.
And suddenly friendliness.
Her insistence that I had once been part of her family.
Her desperation to stop the divorce.
And suddenly, another possibility occurred to me.
Perhaps Beatriz hadn't come to my father's mansion to save her, another possibility occurred to me.
Perhaps Beatriz hadn't come to my father's mansion to save her son's marriage.
Perhaps she had come to find out how much I knew.
My phone rang.
Alejandro.
I son's marriage.
Perhaps she had come to find out how much I knew.
My phone rang.
Alejandro.
I answered.
“Your mother just filed a legal claim against my inheritance.””
His voice sounded broken.
“I know.””
“Did you know she was involved?””
“No answered.
“Your mother just filed a legal claim against my inheritance.””
His voice sounded broken.
“I know.””
“Did you know she was involved?””
“No.””
“Are you sure?””
He took a shaky breath.
“Isabel, I just found something in my.””
“Are you sure?””
He took a shaky breath.
“Isabel, I just found something in my father's office.””
“What?””
“A letter from my mother to Victor.””
I looked at my father.
“What does father's office.””
“What?””
“A letter from my mother to Victor.””
I looked at my father.
“What does it say?””
Alejandro was silent.
Then he whispered:
“My mother knew your mother was being it say?””
Alejandro was silent.
May you like
Then he whispered:
“My mother knew your mother was being pressured. And she was paid to witness the forged transfer.””
