Chapter 8 - The First Forgery
Robert admitted Grant had forged a signature ten years earlier.
At twenty-seven, Grant had been trying to purchase his first development property.
The bank rejected his application.
Days later, Robert discovered that Grant had submitted a personal guarantee using his father’s name.
Robert confronted him.
Grant cried.
He promised it had been a desperate mistake.
Robert paid off the loan and kept the matter private to protect his son.
“I thought I was saving his future,” Robert said. “I taught him there would always be someone to clean up after him.”
Claire asked whether any records still existed.
Robert had kept the original bank notice inside a home safe.
Grant did not know.
“That could establish a pattern,” Nora said when Claire called her from the dock.
“Will Robert testify?”
“I don’t know.”
Behind Claire, the house lights turned on one room at a time.
Grant was moving through the property.
Looking for her.
Robert lowered his voice.
“He believes he can force you to sign tomorrow morning. Serena is bringing the settlement papers.”
“Serena is coming here?”
“No. Grant said she would wait at the hotel until the papers were signed.”
Claire returned inside.
Grant was standing in the hallway.
“Where were you?”
“Talking to your father.”
“About what?”
“The lake.”
Grant watched her carefully.
Then he smiled.
“Tomorrow, we’re going to end this fighting.”
He entered the bedroom and placed a legal folder on the dresser.
DIVORCE PETITION.
Claire pretended to be shocked.
Inside, the proposed settlement required her to surrender all interest in the lake house, waive claims against Mercer Shore Development and leave within forty-eight hours.
In exchange, Grant would forgive her alleged responsibility for the company’s debts.
Every paragraph was designed to make Claire believe she had already lost.
Nora told her not to sign anything.
She also submitted an emergency request to freeze all transfers involving the property.
But the court would not review it until Monday.
Grant’s resort closing was scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
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There was only one day left.
👉 Claire had proof of the forgery, but Grant planned to close the deal before any judge could stop him.
