Chapter 5: The Woman Who Kept the Ledger
Vanessa crossed the hall before Evelyn could open the ledger.
“You’re confused.
Give that to me.”
Evelyn held it against her chest.
“I know every document I notarized that year.”
“You worked for my family.
Hundreds passed through your office.”
“And each one entered this book.”
Daniel moved beside Evelyn.
“Is Anna’s agreement recorded?”
“No.”
Vanessa laughed sharply.
“A missing entry proves nothing.”
“It proves enough to investigate forgery,” Miles said.
“Be careful,” Vanessa replied.
“You work for Daniel’s company, and I will soon control half of it.”
Daniel removed his wedding ring and placed it on the altar.
“You will control none of it.”
“You cannot end this over an unverified letter.”
“I ended it when you called frightened children liars before asking whether they were safe.”
Vanessa turned to Evelyn.
“My father paid your medical bills last year.
Is this how you repay us?”
Victor stepped forward.
“I paid them because she served our family for twenty-two years.”
“You used company funds.”
“I used my salary.”
Vanessa lowered her voice.
“Evelyn, give me the ledger.
I’ll pay off your house before sunset.”
Every nearby phone lifted.
Evelyn opened the book.
“That offer was made in front of three hundred witnesses.”
“It was kindness.”
“It was a bribe,” Daniel said.
Vanessa snatched at the ledger, but Evelyn stepped behind Victor.
“Security!” Vanessa shouted.
“Remove her and confiscate that book.”
The head of security, Martin Cole, remained beside the door.
“You ordered us to lock the guests inside,” he said.
“You said the child’s mother might arrive with reporters.”
Daniel faced her.
“You knew Anna was coming?”
“I guessed.”
“You knew Lily was outside?”
“I was told a poorly dressed child was disturbing guests.”
Martin removed his earpiece.
“That is not what you said.”
Vanessa’s eyes narrowed.
“Remember who hired your company.”
“Mr.
Hale did.”
Victor held out his hand.
“Martin, unlock every door and preserve every security recording.”
Martin nodded.
“Already copied.”
Vanessa grabbed her phone.
“Fine.
I’ll call people who know how to handle this properly.”
Before she could dial, the wedding coordinator approached with a tablet.
“I need Daniel to hear something.”
Vanessa stepped in front of her.
“Not now, Claire.”
“You told me to delete the rehearsal recordings this morning.”
“I asked you to clear storage.”
Claire tapped the screen.
Vanessa’s recorded voice filled the hall.
“If the older girl reaches Daniel, take both children through the service entrance.
Don’t let him see the locket.”
The guests erupted.
Vanessa reached for the tablet.
Claire pulled it away.
“That recording is edited!”
Claire pressed another file.
A man’s voice said, “What about their mother?”
Vanessa answered, “She’ll be kept at the clinic until after the ceremony.”
Daniel’s face hardened.
“Who is keeping her there?”
“No one.
Those words were taken out of context.”
“Give me the address.”
“I don’t know it.”
Lily stepped close to Daniel.
“Mama sounded scared.”
“I’m bringing her here.”
Vanessa blocked his path.
“If you leave now, Anna will disappear before you arrive.
Stay, marry me, and I may be able to help you find her.”
Daniel stared at her.
“You are offering me the mother of my children as part of a bargain?”
“I’m offering stability.”
Victor’s hand shook as he pointed toward the doors.
“Tell us where Anna is.”
Vanessa’s phone rang.
She glanced down, and Daniel saw the caller’s name: Dr.
Mercer.
He answered it before she could pull away.
“Vanessa?” a man whispered.
May you like
“The patient escaped.
She took the original laboratory report—and she’s heading to the wedding.”
