Chapter 4 - THE EMPLOYEES WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
Rosa placed the folder on the table.
Inside were photographs of Vanessa entering Daniel’s office while he traveled for work.
There were copies of receipts from locksmiths, document couriers, and private storage facilities.
Rosa had found them in Vanessa’s coat pockets before being accused of theft.
“I never stole from this house,” Rosa said.
“She planted your mother’s bracelet in my room.”
Daniel looked toward Eleanor.
Eleanor nodded.
“The bracelet was recovered before Rosa left.”
Vanessa folded her arms.
“Rosa hated me from the beginning.”
Rosa met her stare.
“I disliked the way you treated people.”
“That is not hatred.”
“That is judgment.”
Marcus stepped forward.
He explained that Vanessa had ordered him to drive her to an industrial warehouse outside Baltimore.
She instructed him to wait in the car.
Two men loaded sealed boxes into the trunk.
When Marcus asked what they contained, Vanessa threatened to report that he had been drinking while driving.
“I have never consumed alcohol while working,” Marcus said.
He opened the envelope.
Inside were parking receipts and photographs from the warehouse.
One image showed Adrian Mercer carrying a box into the building.
Daniel’s face hardened.
“You were meeting your husband?”
“He is not my husband anymore.”
“Then why did he call you from inside my office?”
Vanessa’s confidence began to fracture.
Helen spoke next.
She had overheard Vanessa arguing with Adrian in the kitchen after midnight.
They were discussing a deadline.
Adrian demanded access to Daniel’s corporate authentication device.
Vanessa promised she would obtain it after the engagement dinner.
Daniel reached instinctively toward his jacket pocket.
The small device was still there.
It generated approval codes for major transfers within Whitmore Development Group.
Without it, no one could authorize payments over five million dollars.
Eleanor watched him understand.
Vanessa had not entered his life only for status.
She needed access.
Vanessa walked toward the front door.
Mark moved into her path.
“You are free to leave,” he said.
“But the police are waiting outside.”
Her head snapped toward Eleanor.
“You called the police because I spilled water?”
Eleanor’s voice remained calm.
May you like
“No.”
“I called them because someone attempted to transfer eighteen million dollars from my son’s company this morning.”
