Chapter 11 - THE OTHER WOMAN IN THE ACCOUNTS
Her name was Sabrina Reed.
She had served as Holloway’s marketing director for six years.
Before Hannah married Grant, Sabrina had dated him privately.
Margaret considered her more suitable.
Wealthy family.
Correct social circle.
No diner mother.
After Grant chose Hannah, Sabrina remained inside the company.
She became the public face of the Hearth and Heritage campaign built from Hannah’s work and my recipes.
The audit discovered that several false vendors were registered through Sabrina.
She arrived at Rebecca’s office with her own attorney.
“I did not know Grant abused Hannah,” she said.
Rebecca placed a photograph from a charity dinner on the table.
Hannah’s wrist was visibly bruised.
Sabrina stood beside her.
“She told me she fell.”
“Did you believe her?”
“I chose to.”
The answer was more honest than denial.
Sabrina admitted knowing Hannah created much of the campaign.
Grant told her spouses shared intellectual property.
She accepted the work, presented it to executives, and received bonuses.
“Did you know the recipe transfer was forged?” I asked.
“Not initially.”
“When did you know?”
“Four months ago.”
“Why stay silent?”
“Grant promised I would become chief brand officer after the divorce.”
Hannah looked away.
The affair had restarted eighteen months earlier.
Grant told Sabrina he planned to leave Hannah once family finances were protected.
Sabrina helped create vendor companies to move campaign revenue.
She believed the money would fund their future.
Some entered an account Grant controlled alone.
He had been deceiving her too.
That did not make her innocent.
It made the circle of betrayal wider.
Sabrina surrendered messages.
SABRINA: Hannah is asking about royalties.
GRANT: Keep her away from the board presentation.
SABRINA: She deserves credit.
GRANT: Do you want her marriage or my future?
Sabrina chose the future.
Later messages concerned the diner.
SABRINA: Closing Evelyn’s suppliers will create bad press.
GRANT: Only if anyone cares about a South Side restaurant.
SABRINA: People like those places.
GRANT: People forget them.
He had mistaken lack of wealth for lack of memory.
The audit found refrigerated warehouses listed as full while half the inventory existed only on paper.
False purchases concealed diverted money.
Grant used food supply contracts to move funds through vendors connected to Sabrina, Margaret, and Harold Pike.
The shortages had been covered by pressuring store managers to adjust records.
Several managers refused and were transferred.
One had documented everything.
His name was Daniel Brooks.
He brought years of reports to investigators.
“I sent these to Grant,” Daniel said.
“What happened?” Ruth asked.
“He told me inaccurate inventory reports were a loyalty problem.”
“Did the board know?”
“I sent copies through the executive office.”
Sabrina managed that office.
She admitted redirecting them.
Grant had built his authority by ensuring every warning passed through someone whose future depended on him.
Hannah listened quietly.
Then she asked Sabrina:
“Did he tell you I was unstable?”
“Yes.”
“Did you believe him?”
“At first.”
“When did you stop?”
“When I saw him shove you against the car after the spring gala.”
“You saw that?”
“Yes.”
“And you went home with him.”
Sabrina’s eyes filled.
“Yes.”
Hannah did not insult her.
She did not need to.
Sabrina’s own answer carried enough weight.
Her cooperation gave investigators access to hidden accounts.
It also revealed a second consulting company created in Hannah’s name.
Grant planned to place millions in fraud losses against it before filing divorce.
If the plan succeeded, Hannah would leave the marriage carrying debt and possible criminal suspicion.
The abuse had financial timing.
He needed her frightened before the audit reached the false vendors.
Margaret’s violence kept Hannah exhausted.
Kline’s records made her appear unstable.
The diner threat isolated her from me.
The guardianship draft prevented her from controlling legal decisions.
Each part supported the others.
Grant was not merely cruel.
May you like
He was building a defense around the person he harmed.
Continue to the next part: Hannah learns the night she lost her pregnancy was connected to Grant’s financial scheme, but the truth is more complicated than murder.
