The Wheelchair at the Altar Part 2

By noon, the news had already started spreading.

I sat in Adrian’s living room, scrolling through my phone as headlines began to appear:

“Mercer Manufacturing Under Investigation for Alleged Pension Fraud”
“Wedding Turns into Corporate Scandal as Blackwood Capital Exposes Fraud”

Adrian’s phone rang constantly, but he ignored most of the calls. Only David Lang and a few key people were allowed through.

Around 2 p.m., David arrived at the house with two thick folders and a laptop. He looked tired but satisfied.

“We’ve made significant progress,” he said, placing the folders on the coffee table. “Your father has already lawyered up. Vanessa is trying to distance herself from the financial decisions, claiming she was only following orders. It won’t work. We have too much evidence.”

He opened one of the folders and slid it toward me.

“These are internal documents showing that you were the original creator of the forecasting system. We also found multiple emails where Vanessa took credit for your work and then pushed for your dismissal after you raised concerns about the inflated purchase orders.”

I flipped through the pages slowly. Seeing my own work being claimed by my sister still hurt, even after all this time.

Adrian spoke from the armchair across from me.

“Claire, you have options. You can sell your shares and walk away completely. Or…” He hesitated. “You can take an active role in the company. With your shares and the evidence we have, you could push for a complete restructuring. You could even take control if you wanted to.”

I looked up at him, surprised.

“Me? Run the company?”

“You don’t have to run it yourself,” David said. “But you could install new leadership. Clean house. Make sure the people who were hurt by the fraud get protected. It’s your choice.”

I was quiet for a long time.

For years, I had been told I wasn’t capable. That I didn’t have what it took. And somewhere along the way, I had started to believe it.

But sitting here now, with proof of everything I had built and everything they had stolen, something inside me shifted.

“I don’t want to run it,” I said finally. “But I don’t want to walk away either. Not while the people who worked for that company are still at risk because of what my father and sister did.”

Adrian nodded, as if he had expected that answer.

“Then we’ll help you take back what’s yours,” he said. “On your terms.”

David closed the folder.

“There’s one more thing,” he said. “Your sister has been trying to contact you. She’s called the office multiple times today. She wants to meet.”

I felt my stomach tighten.

Adrian looked at me.

“You don’t have to see her,” he said. “Not if you don’t want to.”

I thought about it.

Vanessa had spent years taking credit for my work and treating me like I was beneath her. But a part of me still wanted answers. I wanted to look her in the eye and ask why.

“I’ll meet her,” I said quietly. “But not alone.”