Chapter 7 - VANESSA’S LAST OFFER
Vanessa requested a private meeting the following afternoon.
Detective Cole advised Adrian not to meet her alone, so they arranged
for the conversation to take place in the library with an officer in the
adjoining room. Vanessa arrived wearing a cream coat and dark
sunglasses. Her hair was immaculate, and she carried herself as if she
were attending a charity luncheon rather than answering questions about
a suspected attempt on someone’s life.
She sat without being invited.
“I want this finished,” she said.
Adrian remained standing. “So do I.”
“You’re embarrassing yourself. The police have no proof I touched your
wheelchair.”
“They have footage of you entering the equipment room.”
“Footage can be edited.”
“They have a recording of you threatening Emma.”
Vanessa’s expression sharpened. “That woman has manipulated you.”
Adrian almost laughed. “You tied her to a column.”
“She stole from me.”
“What did she steal?”
Vanessa hesitated.
“Jewelry,” she said finally.
“What jewelry?”
“My diamond brooch.”
“Where is it?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then how do you know she stole it?”
Vanessa’s jaw tightened. “I saw her near my dressing room.”
“That’s not evidence.”
She leaned forward. “Adrian, listen to me. I can make this disappear.
You and I can leave the country for a while. The company can be managed
by Graham. You can sell your shares, take the money, and start over.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because you’re vulnerable. Your recovery isn’t complete. You need
someone who understands how to protect you.”
“I have people who protect me.”
“Your staff?” She smiled cruelly. “The girl who changes your sheets?”
Adrian’s voice went cold. “Her name is Emma.”
Vanessa rolled her eyes. “You really are pathetic.”
He studied her. “You know what I find interesting? You keep talking
about my recovery as if you know exactly how far it has progressed.”
She said nothing.
“You knew I could stand before tonight.”
“No.”
“You were watching me. You knew when I was strong enough to use the
wheelchair without assistance. You knew when I was alone.”
“That’s absurd.”
“Then tell me why you came to the house tonight.”
“I wanted to collect my things.”
“You had already collected them. Your belongings were removed six weeks
ago.”
Vanessa looked away.
Adrian sat opposite her. “What did Graham promise you?”
Her expression changed so quickly that he knew he had found the right
name.
“Graham is a friend.”
“Did he promise you shares?”
“No.”
“Money?”
“No.”
“Protection?”
Vanessa stood. “I’m done with this.”
Detective Cole entered the room. “Not yet, Ms. Blackwood.”
Vanessa turned toward her. “I want my lawyer.”
“You may have one. But first, I need to ask about the four million
dollars paid through Northbridge Risk Solutions.”
Vanessa’s face went pale.
The detective placed a printed transaction record on the table. It
showed payments from the company to an account in Vanessa’s name, then
transfers to a property company registered under Graham’s brother.
Vanessa looked at Adrian.
“You don’t understand what he was doing.”
“Then explain it.”
“He said it was temporary. He said he needed to move funds while the
board was investigating a leak.”
“Which leak?”
“The one you were supposed to find.”
Adrian stared at her. “You helped Graham steal from the company?”
“I didn’t steal anything.”
“You received the money.”
“I was protecting myself.”
“From what?”
Vanessa’s eyes filled, but Adrian could no longer tell whether the tears
were real.
“Graham said your father had been planning to remove him. He said you
would do the same. He told me if you stayed in control, I would have
nothing.”
“So you tried to kill me?”
“I didn’t want you dead.”
“Then what did you want?”
She looked at him.
“I wanted you dependent. I wanted the company to believe you couldn’t
lead. I wanted the board to appoint Graham while you recovered.”
“And the medication?”
“I didn’t change it.”
“Who did?”
Vanessa’s silence lasted too long.
Detective Cole asked the question again.
“Who changed the medication?”
Vanessa finally whispered, “Graham.”
The admission was not enough to close the case, but it was enough to
change everything.
As the detective led her out, Vanessa turned one last time.
“You think Emma loves you? She only stayed because she feels sorry for
you.”
Adrian did not answer.
He had spent months wondering whether people stayed because of his
money, his name, or their own advantage. Emma had stayed when she
believed he might never walk again. But he would not use that fact to
demand her affection.
When the door closed, he sat alone in the library.
May you like
The truth had begun to surface.
It had not made him feel victorious.
