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.