Chapter 5 - THE WOMAN IN THE WHITE ROSES
Victoria moved the reception indoors by noon. Guests were sent home in
groups after giving statements. The musicians packed their instruments,
and staff collected abandoned glasses.
The lake looked peaceful again.
That was what disturbed Claire most.
She stood in the service corridor, watching the water through a narrow
window.
“You should not have jumped.”
Claire turned.
Victoria stood in the doorway, her cream silk dress still immaculate.
“Why?” Claire asked.
“Because you could have died.”
“He could have died.”
Victoria studied her.
“Do you know how many people have tried to help my brother? Doctors,
therapists, specialists. Everyone thinks they can save him.”
“I wasn’t trying to save his life story. I was trying to get him out of
the water.”
Victoria’s mouth tightened.
“You have a very simple view of things.”
“Drowning is simple.”
For a moment, Victoria looked almost amused. Then she stepped closer.
“Julian has become suspicious of everyone. He sees threats where there
are none.”
“Did you tell the guests not to touch him?”
“I told them to wait for security. Moving him incorrectly could have
caused further damage.”
“He was underwater.”
“Gabriel was handling it.”
“Gabriel was standing still.”
Victoria’s eyes sharpened.
“You are a temporary employee. Be careful about making accusations.”
“Did you know my brother, Andrew Bennett?”
Victoria’s face changed almost imperceptibly.
“Who?”
“He worked for Julian. He died in the crash that injured him.”
“That was a terrible accident.”
“Did you know the brakes were faulty?”
“No.”
“Did you know Andrew had reported them?”
Victoria turned away.
“Why are you asking me?”
“Because your name is on a recording.”
The silence became absolute.
Victoria looked back.
“What recording?”
Claire knew she had revealed too much.
Victoria’s expression changed, then settled into a cold smile.
“You have no idea what you are involved in.”
“Then explain it.”
Victoria’s voice softened.
“Julian has been unwell for a long time. He refuses to accept that he
cannot manage the company the way he once did. He has made reckless
decisions and put the family at risk.”
“So you decided to take control?”
“I decided to protect what our father built.”
“By letting your brother drown?”
Victoria’s eyes flashed.
“I did not push him.”
“Did you tell people not to help?”
“I told them to wait.”
“Why?”
Victoria leaned closer.
“Because I wanted to know whether he could survive without everyone
rushing to obey him.”
Claire stared at her.
“You used his life as a test?”
“He has used all of us for years. You don’t know what it is like to live
under his shadow.”
“Then leave.”
Victoria laughed once.
“You think it’s that simple?”
She stopped at the doorway.
“Tell Julian the board meeting is tomorrow. If he doesn’t sign the
medical proxy, they will remove him anyway.”
After she disappeared, Julian rolled into the corridor.
“You shouldn’t have spoken to her alone.”
“She wanted to frighten me.”
“She wanted to find out what you know.”
“She knows we have the recording.”
Julian nodded.
“Then we have less time than I thought.”
He handed Claire a list of board members and their voting shares.
“Tomorrow, they intend to declare me unfit to lead.”
“Can they?”
“Not without evidence. But Victoria has been collecting medical reports
for months. Gabriel controls which doctors see me.”
Claire studied the list.
“Then we show the board the recording.”
“Not yet. I need proof that the lake incident was deliberate. The
recording proves intent to remove me. It doesn’t prove who tampered with
the chair.”
Claire remembered the black device.
“Maybe that does.”
Julian looked toward the security wing.
“It’s in the lab. Gabriel controls it.”
“Then we’ll find Andrew’s second copy.”
Julian’s eyes lifted.
“Your brother was always two steps ahead.”
May you like
Claire folded the list.
“Then let’s catch up.”
