Chapter 6 - THE HOUSE THAT WASN'T HERS
Vanessa's attorney requested a private meeting with Richard. He refused.
Instead, he sent all communication through the investigators and his legal team.
The authorities obtained an emergency order preventing the transfer of the mansion and freezing several accounts while the financial investigation continued. The house was no longer simply a home. It was evidence.
Richard moved into a hotel for several days. Emily remained in the hospital, where she began physical rehabilitation and received visits from a counselor.
Sophia visited her after her shift.
She brought a small bouquet of white daisies.
Emily smiled faintly. “You found me.”
Sophia sat beside her bed. “I almost didn't.”
“But you did.”
“I was scared.”
“So was I.”
They sat quietly.
Then Emily asked, “Have you heard from the other staff?”
Sophia nodded. “The police spoke to them. Mrs. Alvarez said she was told you had gone to a private clinic. She never believed it.”
Emily's eyes filled.
“Did anyone try to find me?”
“Some did. But Vanessa said you didn't want visitors. She threatened to dismiss anyone who disobeyed.”
Emily looked toward the window.
“People believed her because she had the keys.”
Sophia took her hand.
“Not everyone.”
Across town, Richard met with the company's board. He disclosed the suspected fraud, the forged approvals, and the false medical records. He asked the board to suspend every transaction connected to Westbridge and appoint an independent compliance team.
One director objected.
“This could damage the company's reputation.”
Richard looked at him.
“My wife was imprisoned in my own house. Money was stolen under my name. The reputation is already damaged. Concealing it would make us worse.”
The board voted to cooperate with investigators.
After the meeting, Richard received a call from Detective Alvarez.
“We found the buyer's representative,” she said. “He claims he believed the sale was legitimate. But he has given us the name of the person who arranged the inspection.”
“Who?”
“Vanessa's father, Anthony Bellini.”
Richard leaned against the wall.
“Where is he?”
“He has not been located yet.”
Then the detective added, “There's another issue. The false medical reports were sent to a court clerk as part of an application to have Emily declared incapable of managing her own affairs.”
Richard went still.
“Was the application approved?”
“No. It was withdrawn before the hearing. But the filing is real.”
He looked through the hotel window at the city below.
May you like
Vanessa had not merely wanted his money.
She had tried to erase Emily's legal voice.
