Chapter 17 - The Final Mistake
I stepped in front of Daniel, shielding him from her toxicity, and met her furious gaze head-on.
“That is your final mistake, Vanessa,” I said, my voice ringing with absolute authority. “Daniel is not my successor because of his bloodline. He earned his position in this family, and in our foundation, through his unshakeable integrity. And that massive trust fund you planned to access after the marriage? It is ironclad. It cannot be touched by any spouse, under any circumstances.”
The sound of wailing sirens suddenly pierced the quiet afternoon air, growing louder as they approached the front gates of the estate.
Vanessa whipped her head toward the massive windows, watching the flashing red and blue lights reflect off the glass. Panic, raw and unfiltered, consumed her.
I had not called Daniel down merely to expose her cruelty toward the staff. I had called him down to watch her entire, meticulously crafted criminal plan collapse into dust.
Two financial-crimes investigators, dressed in sharp suits, entered through the front doors, accompanied by Martin Hale and a uniformed police officer. Vanessa backed away, gripping the wooden banister of the staircase as if it could save her.
“This... this is just a family misunderstanding,” she stammered, raising her hands defensively. “We were just calling off the wedding. There is no need for the police.”
Martin stepped forward, opening a thick leather folder.
May you like
“No, Ms. Vale. This is not a misunderstanding. This concerns attempted wire fraud, multiple forged authorizations, and criminal conspiracy to defraud an estate.”
Daniel turned toward her, his voice breaking. “Forged authorizations? What else did you do?”
