Mason’s Offer
Chapter 10 - Mason’s Offer
Mason asked to meet Elena at the courthouse under attorney supervision.
He wore the same careful expression that once made investors trust him.
“I never planned to hurt you.”
“You planned to make me believe you would.”
“I was under pressure from my father.”
“You locked the doors.”
“I thought you would sign if you understood what failure meant.”
He warned that Harbor House could collapse if Vale financing disappeared.
Construction would stop.
Residents might lose homes.
Employees might be laid off.
Elena had heard this threat before: obey the fraud or become responsible for its consequences.
She placed Margaret’s original trust on the table.
“The residents own the decision.”
Mason offered to return half the stolen funds if Elena withdrew criminal support and allowed him limited management control.
She refused.
Then he tried a different approach.
He asked about their unborn child.
“Do you want our daughter to grow up knowing you sent her father to prison?”
“You chose the actions under investigation.”
Mason’s face hardened.
For a moment, the gentle husband disappeared.
He said Gabriel had turned her against the family.
Elena answered, “Gabriel did not tell you to forge my name.”
The meeting ended.
Mason’s offer and threat had been recorded with his consent.
May you like
He had expected pregnancy, marriage, and fear of public blame to make Elena negotiable.
For the first time, none of them worked.
