Chapter 5: The Price of Silence
Julian dropped the page onto the bench.
“I sold it, but I didn’t keep the money.”
Victoria spoke before anyone else could.
“My son was helping the family company through a temporary shortage.”
“You told me it would be bought back within a month,” Julian said.
“And it would have been, if Elena had signed the loan.”
Elena stared at her.
“You planned to use Rose Cottage to recover your necklace?”
“To protect the company that pays for your comfortable life.”
“My cottage belonged to my mother.”
“And now you are married.
Married people share burdens.”
“They do not forge each other’s names.”
Victoria stepped closer.
“Don’t pretend you earned that property.
It fell into your hands because your mother was sentimental.”
Father’s fist tightened at his side.
Elena touched his arm.
“Dad, let her speak.”
Victoria’s eyes narrowed.
“You want the truth?
Julian owes the company nearly four hundred thousand dollars.”
Elena looked at her husband.
“Is that true?”
“It wasn’t all mine.”
“That was not my question.”
Julian lowered his eyes.
“Yes.”
A hard silence filled the bedroom.
Elena pressed her ring into her palm until the edge left a mark.
“You watched strangers search me because you owed your mother money.”
“I was trying to keep our house.”
“Our house is in your mother’s name.”
“I thought if the loan came through, she would transfer it to us.”
Victoria smiled.
“And I still might.”
Delia closed the folder.
“In exchange for Rose Cottage?”
“In exchange for ending this unpleasantness.”
The officer looked up from his notebook.
“What exactly are you offering?”
Victoria did not blink.
“A family settlement.
Elena signs the loan authorization, and I withdraw my complaint about the necklace.”
Elena stepped nearer.
“Say it again.”
“You heard me.”
“No.
I want everyone to hear you clearly.
If I give you my mother’s cottage, you will stop accusing me.”
Victoria’s expression hardened.
“I will acknowledge that there may have been a misunderstanding.”
Father’s voice cut through the room.
“That is blackmail.”
Victoria turned toward him.
“Choose your language carefully.”
“Choose your next lie carefully.”
One officer received a call and moved into the corridor.
When he returned, his expression had changed.
“The necklace was found in Mrs.
Hale’s suitcase.
Until we determine who placed it there, we need her to come with us and answer further questions.”
Victoria’s shoulders relaxed.
“There,” she said.
“Finally, someone is behaving sensibly.”
Elena looked at the officer.
“Am I being detained?”
“Not at this time, but your cooperation would help.”
Julian moved toward her.
“I’ll come with you.”
“No.”
“Elena, please.”
“You brought the case into my room.
I need someone beside me who didn’t help put it there.”
Her father held out his hand.
Elena took it, but Julian’s next words stopped her.
“If you leave now, Mother will control the story.”
Victoria turned on him.
“Be quiet.”
Julian looked at the guests gathered in the hall.
“She invited half the company board tonight for a reason.”
Victoria’s voice became low.
“You will lose everything.”
“I already have.”
Before Julian could say more, an older woman appeared in the doorway.
Mrs.
Doyle, Victoria’s housekeeper, held a small mobile phone against her apron.
Victoria frowned.
“Return to the kitchen.”
“No, ma’am.”
“You are dismissed.”
Mrs.
Doyle walked to Elena and placed the phone in her hand.
“I’m sorry I didn’t speak sooner.”
Elena looked at the screen.
“What is this?”
“Mrs.
Victoria called me into her study yesterday.
She wanted me to say I had seen you near the necklace cabinet.”
Victoria took one quick step forward.
Marcus moved between them.
Mrs.
Doyle’s voice trembled, but she did not retreat.
“I refused.
After that, I left my phone recording whenever she summoned me.”
“You treacherous woman,” Victoria whispered.
Mrs.
Doyle touched the screen.
Victoria’s recorded voice filled the bedroom.
May you like
“Tomorrow, we put the copy in Elena’s luggage.
Once everyone believes she took it, she will sign anything we place in front of her.”
