Chapter 9 - The Olive Branch That Wasn't (1,500 words)
[Rebecca agrees to meet her mother at a quiet, neutral cafe downtown, accompanied by Julian Vance. Darlene arrives looking uncharacteristically frail, her armor of designer clothes and haughty posture slipping away.
She attempts emotional blackmail, weeping and claiming she only wanted to keep the family together and protect the Price name from ruin. She offers a settlement: she will return fifty percent of the stolen trust funds immediately, provided Rebecca drops all legal proceedings and signs a nondisclosure agreement.
Rebecca listens in absolute silence. When Darlene finishes her theatrical plea, Rebecca slides the complete forensic audit across the table.
“You didn't want to protect the family name, Mom,” Rebecca says calmly. “You wanted to protect Nathan because he looks like the son you always wanted, while punishing me because I chose to build my own life after Thomas died. Fifty percent isn't a compromise. It’s an installment on what you stole. The court will decide the rest.”
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Julian adds that the district attorney has already expressed interest in the bank wire routing numbers. Darlene realizes her manipulation tactics no longer work on her daughter.]
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