Chapter 6 - THE WEDDING THAT COULD NOT BE DELAYED
Daniel wanted to postpone the wedding.
Vanessa refused.
She arrived at Lakehaven the next afternoon accompanied by Celeste and Adrian Cole. Adrian wore a gray suit and carried a leather briefcase. Celeste wore sunglasses despite the cloudy weather.
Vanessa walked directly to Daniel.
“You ignored my calls.”
“I spent the night speaking to police.”
“So did I.”
“Did you tell them about Northstar?”
Vanessa glanced at Adrian.
“My lawyer advised me not to discuss unproven theories.”
Margaret watched Adrian.
He appeared relaxed until his eyes moved toward Robert’s damaged study window.
Then he looked at Owen.
Recognition passed between them.
“You’ve met before,” Margaret said.
Adrian smiled.
“Mr. Pierce has cared for Lakehaven for many years. I’m sure we’ve crossed paths.”
Owen did not smile.
“The last time I saw you, Robert ordered you off the property.”
Daniel looked at Adrian.
“When?”
“Fourteen years ago,” Owen said.
Adrian placed his briefcase on a table.
“Robert and I disagreed over a proposed land purchase. Nothing more.”
“Northstar’s land purchase?” Margaret asked.
Celeste removed her sunglasses.
“We came here to discuss the wedding, not revive ancient business disputes.”
“The ancient business dispute entered my study last night.”
“You have no evidence connecting us to the break-in.”
Vanessa reached for Daniel’s hand.
“Please. We have spent two years planning our life. Don’t let your mother turn one frightening incident into a reason to destroy everything.”
Daniel pulled his hand away.
“Did you forge my signature?”
“No.”
“Did you enter Dad’s study?”
“No.”
“Did you know Northstar was surveying the property?”
“No.”
Margaret observed each answer.
Vanessa did not hesitate. She did not look frightened. She looked offended that Daniel had dared to ask.
Adrian opened his briefcase.
“I anticipated that emotions might interfere with rational judgment.”
He removed a document.
“This is a postponement liability summary. Canceling the wedding this close to the date could cost Daniel approximately $180,000.”
Daniel stared at him.
“You prepared this before coming here?”
“I prepare for every possibility.”
Celeste stepped closer to Daniel.
“Hundreds of guests have purchased flights. Vendors have been paid. Business partners are attending. Canceling now will damage your reputation.”
Margaret looked at her son.
“Reputation can be repaired.”
Vanessa’s eyes filled with tears.
“Moments cannot.”
She removed her engagement ring and placed it on the table.
“If you believe I’m a criminal, there is no wedding.”
Daniel looked at the ring.
Margaret could see the conflict in his face. He loved Vanessa. Whatever else was true, that part was real.
He picked up the ring.
Vanessa held her breath.
Daniel placed it back in her palm.
“I need the truth.”
“I’ve given it to you.”
“No. You’ve given me answers.”
Vanessa closed her fingers around the ring.
“What’s the difference?”
“The truth explains things. Your answers explain nothing.”
Adrian stepped between them.
“Daniel, this conversation is becoming abusive.”
Margaret almost laughed at the deliberate use of the word.
Daniel did not.
“Get out of my mother’s house.”
Celeste’s expression hardened.
“Think carefully.”
“I am.”
“The board votes on your company expansion next month. Three members are attending the wedding.”
Daniel stared at her.
“How do you know about the vote?”
Vanessa interrupted.
“I told her.”
“That meeting is confidential.”
“You tell me everything.”
“Apparently, I’m the only one who does.”
Vanessa’s tears disappeared.
She picked up her ring and walked toward the door.
At the threshold, she stopped.
“The wedding will happen on Saturday,” she said. “You can arrive as my husband, or you can spend the rest of your life explaining why you abandoned me because your mother found a footprint.”
Daniel said nothing.
Vanessa left with Celeste.
Adrian remained behind.
He closed his briefcase slowly.
“Northstar will acquire Lakehaven eventually,” he said.
Margaret looked at him.
“Is that a threat?”
“It is an economic fact. The property taxes will rise. Maintenance will become impossible. Daniel’s company needs capital. Sentiment does not defeat mathematics.”
“My husband defeated you.”
“Your husband delayed us.”
Adrian turned toward Daniel.
“Ask your mother why Robert’s life insurance was never paid.”
Margaret’s breath caught.
Daniel looked at her.
Adrian smiled.
“Some family secrets are more expensive than others.”
He left before either of them could stop him.
Daniel waited until the front door closed.
“What did he mean?”
Margaret looked at Robert’s empty chair.
For eight years, she had protected Daniel from the uncertainty surrounding his father’s death.
Now that silence had become another weapon in someone else’s hands.
“Your father’s death was ruled accidental,” she said. “But the insurance company believed he had entered the lake deliberately.”
Daniel’s face changed.
Margaret continued before he could misunderstand.
“I never believed them.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because you had already lost your father.”
May you like
Daniel looked toward the dark water beyond the windows.
“And now Northstar wants the place where he died.”
