Why Elena Entered the Mansion
Chapter 03 - Why Elena Entered the Mansion
The gala ended without applause. Guests were escorted out through the storm while Adrian moved Vivienne, Marcus, Elena, and the head of security into the library. He ordered every computer disconnected from the mansion network. Then he called his attorney and learned the impossible: a board meeting had been scheduled for eight o'clock the next morning to approve an emergency transfer of voting power.
The document on his phone claimed Adrian had suffered a series of “unstable episodes” and had voluntarily granted Vivienne temporary control of Castillo Holdings. His signature looked perfect. So did the seal of a notary who had retired a year earlier.
“I never signed this,” he said.
Vivienne folded her arms. “You signed dozens of papers after your accident in Madrid. You don't remember everything from that week.”
Adrian had been in a car crash eighteen months earlier. He had recovered, but for several days he had taken strong medication and trusted Vivienne to handle legal matters. Until that moment, he had never questioned what she placed in front of him.
Elena spoke carefully. “My father questioned it.”
She explained that Mateo had discovered strangers entering the east wing late at night. He had seen Marcus carrying foundation ledgers and Vivienne meeting with a notary's assistant. When Mateo reported it, the archive fire occurred two days later. A ledger was found in his truck, and he was dismissed before he could defend himself.
Elena had been studying accounting at the time. After her father's death, she reviewed the few notes he left behind. One phrase appeared again and again: green dress, west camera, hidden copy. She applied for work at the mansion under her mother's last name, hoping to reach the east wing and find whatever Mateo had hidden.
“You lied to get into my home,” Adrian said, wounded by the truth even as he understood it.
“I did,” Elena admitted. “But I never stole from you. I came because your family used my father as a shield.”
Marcus stepped toward Adrian. “This is an elaborate revenge scheme. We should not let grief destroy reason.”
Before Adrian could answer, his attorney called back. The notary's seal was authentic. The filing had already been accepted by the state. Unless Adrian proved fraud before the morning vote, Vivienne could legally take control of the company.
Adrian looked at his wife. “Did you know about this meeting?”
Vivienne held his gaze for several seconds. Then she said, “I scheduled it.”
The admission landed harder than denial.
“The company needs stable leadership,” she continued. “You have been distracted, sentimental, and weak.”
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Elena saw Adrian's anger rise, but beneath it was something more painful: the collapse of a marriage he had believed was real.
A crash sounded from the hallway. When security opened the library door, Elena's cleaning cart was gone—and so was the original phone containing the restored video.
