Chapter 14 - THE TRAP
Daniel wanted Vanessa and Richard held accountable.
But his attorney warned him not to confront them without a plan.
So Daniel gave them exactly what they wanted.
He announced that the merger meeting would proceed.
Vanessa heard about it within twenty minutes.
Richard called Daniel personally.
His voice was smooth.
“I’m glad you’ve decided to be reasonable.”
Daniel stared through the conference room window.
“Business comes first.”
Richard relaxed.
That was the sentence he expected.
The old Daniel might have said it.
The Daniel who protected appearances.
The Daniel who disliked conflict.
The Daniel Vanessa believed she understood.
The meeting was scheduled for Friday morning.
Vanessa arrived in a navy suit.
Richard carried the final contracts.
Margaret sat beside Daniel.
Emily was not visible.
That was intentional.
Vanessa looked around.
“Where is she?”
Daniel answered.
“Emily no longer works for the family.”
Vanessa almost smiled.
Margaret looked down.
Vanessa interpreted it as shame.
In reality, Margaret was struggling to hide her disgust.
Richard opened the contract.
“We need three signatures.”
Daniel picked up a pen.
Vanessa watched his hand.
“Once this is completed, everything becomes much easier.”
Daniel looked at her.
“You always said that.”
Vanessa smiled.
“Because it’s true.”
He placed the pen against the page.
Then stopped.
“One question.”
Richard sighed.
“Daniel.”
Daniel looked at Vanessa.
“Why Emily?”
Vanessa’s smile vanished.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Yes, you do.”
Richard closed the folder.
“This is not the time.”
Daniel ignored him.
“You knew about her mother.”
Vanessa’s eyes flickered.
That was enough.
Daniel leaned back.
“You knew Caroline Carter had once been accused of stealing from this family.”
Vanessa said nothing.
“And you decided her daughter would be believable as another thief.”
Margaret looked at Vanessa.
Even she had not known that detail.
Richard stood.
“We’re leaving.”
Daniel pressed a button beneath the table.
The conference room doors opened.
Emily entered with two investigators.
Behind her came Evan.
Vanessa’s face changed instantly.
Richard whispered.
“You idiot.”
Vanessa stared at Evan.
“You were supposed to disappear.”
Evan answered.
“That was the plan, wasn’t it?”
Richard stepped backward.
One investigator placed the private archive footage on the screen.
Vanessa watched herself discussing the frame.
Discussing Emily.
Discussing the merger.
Discussing forged documents.
There was nowhere left to hide.
Daniel pushed the unsigned contract across the table.
“The merger is over.”
Richard looked toward the door.
An investigator blocked his path.
May you like
Daniel continued.
“And so is the lie.”
