“Collateral.”
“My jewellery?”
“Collateral.”
Sienna’s voice shook.
“What about my trust fund?”
“Frozen.”
She began crying—not because employees had lost their savings, but because consequences had finally reached her.
My father initially refused to sign.
Then several employee representatives entered the room.
One of them was Mr Henderson, a machinist who had delayed his wife’s medical treatment after discovering that most of his pension had disappeared.
He looked directly at my father.
“You used my future to buy champagne.”
My father’s hand trembled as he signed.
The consequences were public and permanent.
Arthur pleaded guilty to fraud, identity offences and charges related to his hidden marriage. He received seven years in prison.
My father cooperated too late and also received a prison sentence.
My mother avoided incarceration but lost the lake house and spent two years under court supervision.
