Chapter 2 - THE LITTLE GIRL WHO REMEMBERED
Megan had worked at the Sterling estate for eight months. She cleaned the guest rooms, polished the silver, and helped prepare meals when the regular housekeeper was ill. She had never asked Damon for anything.
When Mila's cardiologist explained that the little girl's heart defect required surgery, Megan took extra shifts and sold the jewelry her mother had left her. She never mentioned the diagnosis at work. She did not want pity, and she certainly did not want to risk her job.
The envelope had been in her handbag that afternoon. Inside were the hospital's payment instructions, a bank draft, and a letter confirming the surgery date. Megan had planned to take the papers to the hospital after her shift.
She had stepped away from the reception for less than ten minutes.
When she returned, the envelope was gone.
Now the guests were being quietly escorted toward the dining hall while Daniel questioned the staff. Vanessa stood near the fireplace, her expression composed again.
“Damon, this is becoming absurd,” she said. “The maid misplaced something and is blaming me because she knows you feel sorry for her.”
Megan looked up. “I didn't say you took it.”
“Your daughter did.”
Mila hid behind her mother's skirt.
Damon turned to Daniel. “Check the corridor cameras.”
Vanessa folded her arms. “You cannot seriously be investigating me over a child's confused words.”
“I investigate anything that disappears from my home.”
“Your home?” Vanessa repeated. “I am going to be your wife.”
“Not tonight.”
The words landed harder than a shout.
Megan wanted to disappear. She was holding a wallet that probably cost more than her annual salary, surrounded by people who had come to celebrate an engagement. She tried to return it.
“Mr. Sterling, please. I don't want trouble.”
Damon did not take it back. “Your daughter needs surgery. That's the only problem you need to think about.”
He called the hospital himself. Megan heard him give the name of the surgeon and ask for the earliest available appointment. Then he instructed his accountant to arrange payment directly to the hospital, not through Megan.
Vanessa watched him with growing anger.
“You're letting a servant manipulate you.”
Damon turned his head. “Careful.”
Mila tugged Megan's sleeve.
“Mommy, red bow.”
Megan knelt. “What about it, sweetheart?”
Mila pointed toward the fireplace. “Auntie had red string. She put in pocket.”
Daniel returned with a tablet. The camera footage showed Vanessa entering the salon while Megan was in the pantry. She approached the handbag on a side chair, removed the envelope, and slipped it into the folds of her shawl.
A second camera showed her walking directly to the fireplace.
Damon watched the recording twice.
Vanessa said nothing.
Daniel enlarged the image. “The envelope was in her hand for forty-seven seconds before she put it into the fire.”
“It's a private matter,” Vanessa said.
“Not anymore,” Damon replied.
He looked at Megan. “Did you tell anyone about Mila's surgery?”
“No, sir.”
“Did you ask Vanessa for money?”
Megan shook her head.
Damon's gaze returned to his fiancée. “Then explain why you went through her bag.”
Vanessa's jaw tightened.
“I was looking for something else.”
“What?”
May you like
She hesitated.
And in that hesitation, Damon understood that the envelope had not been the only thing Vanessa wanted to destroy.
