Chapter 5 - THE PRICE OF MADISON'S SIGNATURE
Madison sat across from Erin without makeup.
She looked younger.
Still angry.
Still defensive.
But no longer smug.
Susan stayed in another room by Rachel’s request.
“Tell me what she promised,” Erin said.
Madison crossed her arms.
“Why should I?”
“Because your trust is collateral.”
“I know.”
“Then you know you might lose it.”
Madison looked away.
“Mom said temporary.”
“Did you read the loan extension?”
“Some.”
“Which parts?”
“The signature parts.”
Erin almost laughed.
Then stopped.
She had signed contracts too quickly before.
Madison continued.
“Mom said Meridian Grove would double our money when it opened.”
“Our?”
“Family money.”
“Your education trust isn’t family money.”
Madison frowned.
“Dad wanted us taken care of.”
“Exactly.”
“Same thing.”
“No.”
That difference had never been taught to her.
Then Erin asked:
“Why the Lamborghini?”
Madison shrugged.
“I wanted one.”
“Did Mom offer it before or after you agreed to extend the collateral?”
Silence.
“Madison.”
“After.”
There.
Susan had rewarded consent.
Madison defended her.
“She said I was making a grown-up decision.”
“Did she tell you Erin’s business was backing the project?”
Madison looked at her.
“I thought you agreed.”
Erin’s face went cold.
“What?”
“Mom said once your company sold, you were putting money into Parker Legacy.”
“My company isn’t being sold.”
Madison blinked.
“She said you had an offer.”
“We had licensing talks. That’s not a sale.”
Madison sat back.
For the first time, she looked genuinely frightened.
“How much are you worth?”
Erin laughed once.
“Less than Mom tells people.”
Madison’s face drained.
If lenders believed Erin was future support, Susan had inflated the family’s safety net.
Then Madison whispered:
“So if Meridian fails…”
“You could lose most of the account.”
“And Mom?”
“Could lose Parker Legacy equity.”
Madison stared at her hands.
Then looked up.
“You still won’t pay tuition?”
Erin almost admired the consistency.
“No.”
Madison’s eyes filled with anger.
“You can.”
“Yes.”
“You’d let me drop out?”
“No. I’d let you choose a school you can afford.”
“That’s the same thing.”
“It isn’t.”
Madison stood.
“You love watching me lose.”
Erin stood too.
“No. I’m tired of being required to lose so you never have to.”
Madison left.
At the door she turned.
“You know what Dad said about you?”
Erin froze.
“What?”
Madison’s face was wet now.
“Mom has a letter.”
May you like
Then she walked out.
And Erin realized Susan had been holding something from their father all these years.
