Chapter 1 - THE DOCUMENTSThe library door slammed shut behind Elena.
Arthur stood beside the massive mahogany desk, his hands pressed against its polished surface. The documents Maria had discovered were still spread before him.
For twenty years, Arthur had believed his marriage was built on trust.
Tonight, that belief was hanging by a thread.
Elena stared at him, tears filling her eyes.
“You really think I would steal from Daniel?”
Arthur didn't answer immediately.
Maria stood several feet away, visibly nervous.
She had spent years working in the Vance household. She knew when Arthur was angry.
This was different.
He wasn't shouting.
He wasn't threatening.
He was thinking.
And that was far more dangerous.
Arthur picked up one of the bank statements.
“Three hundred thousand dollars.”
Elena swallowed.
“Arthur…”
“Another two hundred thousand.”
“I can explain.”
“Then explain.”
Elena glanced at Maria.
Maria lowered her eyes.
Elena suddenly pointed at her.
“She planted those documents!”
Maria's head snapped up.
“That's not true.”
“You want my husband's money!”
“I don't want your money.”
“You expect him to believe that?”
Arthur raised his voice.
“Enough!”
Both women fell silent.
Arthur looked at Elena.
“You've been telling me for months that Daniel's trust was completely protected.”
“It is.”
“Then why were these transfers made?”
“I told you. The money was moved temporarily.”
“To where?”
Elena hesitated.
Arthur's eyes narrowed.
“Exactly.”
He turned toward Maria.
“Where did you find these?”
“In the locked cabinet in Mrs. Elena's office.”
Elena shook her head.
“That cabinet wasn't locked.”
Arthur looked at her.
“You just said it was locked.”
Elena froze.
Maria noticed it too.
Arthur slowly picked up another document.
“This company.”
He pointed to the name.
“Vantage Holdings.”
Elena's face lost its color.
“You know it?”
“No.”
Arthur stared at her.
“Then why does your signature authorize payments to it?”
“I told you, I didn't make those transfers.”
“That's your signature.”
“Someone forged it.”
Arthur leaned back.
“Then we're going to the bank tomorrow.”
Elena's breathing became uneven.
“Arthur, please.”
“No.”
“You don't understand.”
“Then help me understand.”
Elena walked toward him.
“I was trying to protect Daniel.”
“From what?”
She stopped.
Her silence answered him.
Arthur's expression hardened.
“From what, Elena?”
She whispered:
“Your family.”
Maria looked shocked.
Arthur stared at his wife.
“My family?”
“Yes.”
“What did my family do?”
“I can't tell you.”
Arthur laughed bitterly.
“You expect me to believe you moved half a million dollars because my family is dangerous?”
“I moved it because I found something.”
“What?”
Elena looked toward the hallway.
“Not here.”
Arthur immediately understood.
“Why not?”
“Because we're being watched.”
Maria's eyes widened.
Arthur looked toward the security camera in the corner.
“What are you talking about?”
Elena whispered:
“Someone has been monitoring Daniel.”
The room went silent.
Arthur's anger disappeared.
“Since when?”
“Six months.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I didn't know who to trust.”
Arthur stared at her.
“And you trusted yourself?”
“I had no choice.”
Maria stepped forward.
“I saw something too.”
Arthur turned.
“What?”
“Three nights ago, I found Daniel's bedroom window open.”
Arthur frowned.
“Daniel sleeps upstairs. The security system would have alerted me.”
“It didn't.”
Arthur's expression changed.
“Show me.”
They rushed upstairs.
Daniel was asleep.
Arthur entered his room and checked every window.
Locked.
Nothing seemed wrong.
Then Maria pointed beneath the bed.
A tiny black device was attached to the wooden frame.
Arthur crouched.
He pulled it free.
A listening device.
His face went cold.
Someone had been listening to their conversations.
Elena whispered:
“I told you.”
Arthur looked at her.
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
Suddenly, Daniel stirred.
“Daddy?”
Arthur immediately stood.
“I'm here.”
The boy rubbed his eyes.
“Why are you awake?”
Arthur sat beside him.
“Just checking on you.”
Daniel looked toward Elena.
“Are you mad at Mommy?”
Arthur glanced at his wife.
“No.”
Elena's eyes filled with tears.
Daniel smiled sleepily.
“Good.”
He closed his eyes again.
Arthur gently pulled the blanket over him.
When he stood, Maria was holding another object.
A small envelope.
“It was under the mattress.”
Arthur opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
It showed Daniel entering the Vance estate.
On the back were four words:
HE KNOWS ABOUT THE TRUST.
Arthur stared at the message.
Elena stepped closer.
“Arthur…”
He looked at her.
“Tomorrow, we're going to the bank.”
“And after that?”
Arthur folded the photograph.
“After that, we're finding out who wants my son.”
But neither of them noticed the tiny red light blinking on the listening device Arthur had placed on the desk.
May you like
Someone was still listening.
And whoever it was had just heard everything.
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