She Never Told You?

The celebration had ended nearly an hour earlier when Victoria noticed the envelope.

It rested beneath the framed gold corporate card on the terrace table. No stamp. No name. No indication of how it had passed through Meridian’s security.

Inside was a photograph taken outside a private bank.

Arthur stood beside Brooke, both of them facing a man Victoria recognized immediately.

Grant Holloway.

The date printed in the corner was six months before Arthur had announced Brooke’s pregnancy.

There was another detail.

Arthur was holding the gold Meridian card.

Victoria turned the photograph over.

Four words had been written across the back.

He wasn’t the only one.

Evelyn examined the picture beneath the terrace lights.

“Arthur admitted using the card,” she said. “That isn’t new.”

“The date is new.”

At that time, Arthur had claimed he was attending a property conference in Chicago. Brooke had supposedly been visiting her sister. Grant had told Meridian’s board that he had no personal relationship with either of them.

All three statements had been false.

Victoria called security.

No cameras showed anyone placing the envelope on the table. The terrace had remained locked throughout the celebration, and only senior executives had access.

Someone inside Meridian had delivered it.

Before Victoria could order a full investigation, her phone vibrated.

The message came from an unknown number.

Check the family center before morning.

Victoria called the building manager.

He answered on the fourth ring, breathing heavily.

“Ms. Thompson,” he said, “someone accessed the employee records.”

“How many?”