Six months ago I fell seriously ill with pneumonia and spent ten days in the hospital. Preston visited daily with kind words and eventually asked me to sign a document that he claimed was related to medical insurance authorization.
The document was actually a broad legal power of attorney.
He disappeared after my recovery.
Now I understood why.
That same evening I called my attorney Leonard Whitaker.
“Leonard,” I said, “my son thinks he sold my apartment and stole my savings. Prepare criminal charges for fraud and financial abuse. Tomorrow evening we will attend his wedding.”
Leonard remained silent for a moment.
“Margot, this will send him to prison.”
“I know,” I replied calmly. “But perhaps prison is the only place where he can learn honesty.”
The next evening I dressed carefully in a navy silk gown and a pearl necklace that Patrick had given me on our anniversary years earlier. I arrived at the Grand Liberty Country Club with Leonard and two investigators.
The ballroom looked like a palace filled with champagne, orchids, and hundreds of guests. Preston stood on a raised stage beside Natalia wearing an expensive tuxedo and smiling proudly.
He saw me walking toward him and immediately turned pale.
“Mom, what are you doing here?” he whispered angrily when he intercepted me near the stage.
“I came with a gift,” I answered calmly.
Natalia approached with a glare. “Who invited this woman?”
I handed Preston a copy of the corporate documents.
“Read it carefully,” I said.
He scanned the page quickly and his face lost all color.
“This cannot be real,” he whispered.
“You sold property belonging to a corporation without authority,” I explained loudly enough for nearby guests to hear. “That is called fraud.”
Natalia grabbed his arm. “What is she talking about? You told me the money was already transferred.”
Before he could answer two police officers approached.
One officer spoke firmly. “Mr. Preston Gallagher, you are under arrest for fraud, document forgery, and financial theft.”
Gasps spread across the ballroom.
Preston looked at me with desperation. “Mom, please help me. Fix this.”
I shook my head slowly.
“I protected you all your life. Tonight you face the consequences.”
The officers placed handcuffs on his wrists.
Natalia exploded in fury and threw her bouquet at his chest while shouting, “You liar. I am not marrying a criminal.”