Chapter 4 - BRENDA’S FIRST MISTAKE
Brenda waited until the remaining guests left the mansion.
Then she followed Andrew into his study.
He stood behind his desk, opening drawers and searching through old files.
“What exactly did Mariana do?” Brenda asked.
“She froze accounts that never belonged to her.”
“But the bank said they did.”
Andrew slammed a drawer shut.
“The bank is confused.”
Brenda stared at him.
“Is the mansion really owned by her family?”
“It was a financing arrangement.”
“That is not what I asked.”
Andrew turned sharply.
“You should be more concerned about the necklace.”
Brenda’s expression changed for only a second.
Andrew noticed.
“Where is it?”
“I told you.”
“No.”
“You told my mother that Mariana took it.”
“She did.”
“How?”
Brenda folded her arms.
“I saw her near Margaret’s room.”
“That is not proof.”
“It was enough for your mother.”
Andrew stepped closer.
“What did you do with the necklace?”
Fear appeared in Brenda’s eyes.
This time, it was real.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Andrew lowered his voice.
“If Mariana can prove the accusation was false, she will use it against us.”
“You slapped her.”
“You arranged the situation.”
“You chose to hit her.”
The words landed between them.
Brenda had spent months telling Andrew that Mariana was weak.
She had promised that one public humiliation would destroy her.
Now the empire around them was trembling, and Brenda had no intention of accepting the blame.
Margaret entered the study.
“Stop arguing.”
She carried the velvet jewelry case.
“Mariana stole the necklace.”
Andrew looked at his mother.
“Did you actually see her take it?”
Margaret hesitated.
“I trusted Brenda.”
“That is not an answer.”
Margaret’s expression hardened.
“Are you questioning me?”
“I am asking whether the necklace was really missing before tonight.”
“It was missing when I opened the case.”
Brenda moved toward the door.
“I need to make a phone call.”
Andrew blocked her path.
“To whom?”
“My assistant.”
“At two in the morning?”
Brenda’s hand moved toward her handbag.
Andrew took it before she could stop him.
He emptied its contents onto the desk.
Cosmetics, keys, receipts, and a second phone scattered across the polished wood.
Brenda lunged for the phone.
Andrew picked it up first.
The screen displayed a message from a private storage company.
UNIT 317 ACCESS LOG CONFIRMED.
Andrew looked at her.
“What is in Unit 317?”
“Nothing that concerns you.”
He grabbed her wrist.
“Where is the necklace?”
Brenda pulled away.
“I did this for us.”
Margaret’s face went pale.
Andrew stared at her.
“What did you do?”
Brenda’s voice became desperate.
“I needed Mariana gone.”
“You told me your mother would support the divorce if Mariana embarrassed the family.”
“I created an opportunity.”
Margaret slowly lowered herself into a chair.
“You stole my mother’s necklace?”
“I borrowed it.”
“Where is it?”
“It’s safe.”
Andrew released a breath that sounded almost like a growl.
“You will retrieve it before sunrise.”
Brenda shook her head.
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
“Because I already gave it to someone.”
May you like
The room became completely still.
At that exact moment, the hidden security camera above the study door transmitted every word to a protected Escalante server.
