Now she could not meet my eyes.
Arthur placed several documents on the coffee table. “Mrs. Sterling, these are the wire confirmations from March 14 of last year. Three transfers. Fifty thousand, seventy-five thousand, and fifty-five thousand dollars.”
Diana opened her laptop. “All sent from Eleanor Sterling’s personal account to an account at Mountain Federal Credit Union.”
Grandma’s voice was quiet. “In whose name?”
Diana looked up. “Audrey Vance Relief Fund LLC.”
I blinked. “What?”
Arthur turned one page around so I could see it. “An LLC registered in Colorado. Formed two days before the first transfer.”
I stared at the printed record. My name was there, but I had never seen it before.
The registered agent: Victoria Sterling.
My aunt swallowed hard.
Grandma’s face tightened. “You created a company using my granddaughter’s name?”
Victoria stood too quickly. “I created an emergency fund because Audrey was overwhelmed. She had just lost Marcus. She wasn’t thinking clearly. I was trying to help manage things.”
I laughed once, but there was no humor in it.
“Manage things?” I said. “I was begging my landlord for one more week. Maya had a fever and I couldn’t afford urgent care until my paycheck cleared. You told me Grandma was disappointed in me.”
Grandma turned sharply toward Victoria.
Victoria’s lips parted.
“You told her what?” Grandma asked.
Julian stepped forward. “Eleanor, emotions are high. Maybe we should discuss this after dinner.”
Grandma’s eyes moved to him. “Julian, this is far more important than dinner. We are going to understand exactly what happened tonight.”
He stopped.
Diana continued, “The LLC account was opened with Victoria Sterling as manager. Over the following six months, records show funds moving into several personal accounts, with transactions connected to credit card payments, a vehicle purchase, home renovations, and private school tuition.”
My cousin Chloe gasped from the hallway.
“Mom?” she whispered.
Victoria turned toward her daughter. “Chloe, go upstairs.”
“No,” Grandma said. “She can stay. Everyone can stay.”
I held Maya tighter as she stirred against my shoulder.
My baby had slept in a thrift-store crib while my aunt’s kitchen was remodeled with money Grandma believed was supporting us.
Arthur looked at me gently. “Audrey, did you authorize Victoria Sterling to receive funds on your behalf?”
“No.”
“Did you sign any documents creating this LLC?”
“No.”
“Did you receive any money from it?”
“Not one dollar.”
Diana nodded and typed quickly.
Victoria’s composure finally slipped. “I deserved something,” she snapped.
The room went still.
Part 3
The word hung in the cold, silent room, heavy and grotesque.
