Chapter 8 - BRIANNA’S DISCOVERY
On the afternoon of the wedding, Elena entered Daniel’s office while the estate staff prepared for the ceremony.
The red folder was gone.
She searched the drawers, bookshelves, and locked cabinet beneath his desk.
Nothing.
Then Brianna appeared in the doorway wearing a silk robe, her wedding dress still hanging upstairs.
“What are you looking for?”
Elena turned.
For months, she had assumed Brianna knew how her wedding had been funded. But the confusion on the bride’s face looked genuine.
Elena closed the drawer.
“Did Daniel tell you where the money came from?”
“What money?”
“The money paying for your wedding.”
Brianna folded her arms.
“Mother said Mercer Holdings was covering it.”
“Mercer Holdings is nearly bankrupt.”
The color faded from Brianna’s face.
Elena showed her the transfer document.
“Daniel stole three hundred thousand dollars from my account.”
Brianna stared at the forged signature.
“No.”
“He used a shell company owned by Victor.”
“My brother wouldn’t do that.”
“He did.”
Brianna stepped into the office and shut the door.
Then she told Elena something no one else knew.
Two nights earlier, Brianna had overheard Daniel arguing with Marcus about a black ledger. Marcus wanted it destroyed. Daniel refused because it contained information he could use against Victor if the investigation reached them.
“Where is it?” Elena asked.
Brianna looked toward the ceiling.
“Mother’s dressing room. There’s a hidden safe behind the portrait of my grandfather.”
They found the ledger beside cash, passports, and copies of false investment contracts.
Every transaction was recorded.
Names.
Dates.
Amounts.
Forged authorizations.
Brianna sank onto a chair.
“My wedding was paid for with stolen money.”
“You didn’t know.”
“But I didn’t ask.”
Elena placed the ledger inside a garment bag.
“Then help me end it.”
Brianna looked toward the door.
“What will happen to Daniel?”
“He’ll face the consequences of what he chose.”
Brianna wiped her eyes.
“And my mother?”
“The same.”
For several seconds, Brianna said nothing.
May you like
Then she handed Elena the safe’s security drive.
“Take this too.”
