She Played Daughter-in-Law on a Pig Farm, So I Took Her Hospital novel · Chapter 18 of 24

Chapter 18: Her Name on the Page

"The people who own this hospital," Veronica said into the microphone, "have never asked you a single question."

Three hundred guests held very still.

"They take your donations and they put a plaque on the wall. The Trust is one family, and tonight that family is sitting at your best table."

Heads turned toward my mother by the piano.

She did not move.

"Mrs. Hallett wants you to think I am a liar," Veronica said. "I would like you to read what she signed."

She lifted a folded page from her clutch.

"This is page nine of a purchase agreement for Eastbrook Memorial. It sells this hospital to a group in Ohio. At the bottom is the signature of Adele Hallett, chair of the Eastbrook Trust."

A murmur ran through the ballroom.

"She signed it," Veronica said. "Not me. She has been planning to sell your hospital while she cuts the ribbon at your fundraiser."

At table four, the man with silver hair had gone white.

My mother set down her glass.

She walked through the crowd, slowly, with her gloves in her hand, and nobody spoke while she went.

She climbed the two steps to the stage and stopped beside Veronica.

"May I?" she said.

Veronica's hand stayed on the microphone.

"Of course," she said, with a smile.

My mother took the page out of her fingers and looked at it for a moment.

"That is my signature," she said.

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