Chapter 3 - The Man Ethan Trusted
Adrian Vale had been part of Ethan’s life for fifteen years.
They had met during their first year at university, shared a small apartment after graduation, and built Hale Development’s newest division together. Adrian had been present when Ethan proposed to Tiffany. He had helped select the ring.
He was also standing beside Ethan in nearly every photograph Tiffany posted online.
Margaret had never distrusted him.
That changed when Graham placed White Aster Events’ registration documents on the table.
“We still do not have proof Adrian owns the company,” Graham warned. “His address could have been used without permission.”
“His private apartment address?”
“It is possible.”
“But unlikely.”
“Very.”
Margaret called Adrian.
He answered cheerfully.
“Margaret, how is the most important mother of the groom?”
“Busy.”
“I can imagine. Tiffany has turned this wedding into a military operation.”
“I need your help with a payment.”
His tone changed almost imperceptibly.
“What payment?”
“A florist’s invoice connected to White Aster Events.”
Silence.
Then he laughed.
“Never heard of it.”
“The company uses your address.”
“That must be a filing mistake.”
“Companies do not accidentally select private addresses.”
“I receive business mail for dozens of projects. Send me the documents and I’ll ask accounting.”
Margaret looked at Graham.
He shook his head.
“Adrian, are you with Ethan?”
“He stepped out.”
“Where are you?”
“At the downtown office.”
Margaret could hear music behind him.
Not office noise.
A piano.
The Hale Development office did not have a piano.
“Tell Ethan to call me.”
“Of course.”
Adrian ended the call.
Graham immediately opened a location application connected to the company’s executive security system.
Adrian’s company phone was not downtown.
It was at the Grand Bellmere Hotel.
Margaret stood.
“He is at the venue.”
“Do not go there alone.”
“I am not going to accuse him.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Listen.”
Forty minutes later, Margaret entered the Grand Bellmere through the service entrance.
Daniel Ortiz met her near the kitchen corridor. He had managed the hotel for twelve years and had known Margaret since David hosted his final company gala there.
Daniel led her into his office and closed the door.
“I reviewed every charge attached to your account,” he said. “You were right to be concerned.”
He handed her a printed summary.
The original wedding included the ballroom, dinner service, open bar, flowers, music, photography, and a honeymoon suite.
The added charges included a second reception at Bellmere House, a private estate owned by the hotel group. The new booking was scheduled two weeks after Ethan’s wedding.
The second ceremony was smaller but more expensive.
Private air transportation had also been requested.
Margaret studied the document.
“Who approved this?”
“The forms carry your authorization.”
“They are forged.”
“I suspected that when the bride requested that all confirmations be sent to a different email address.”
“Which address?”
Daniel turned his computer screen.
[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).
It looked official at first glance.
It was not.
“Who submitted the booking?” Margaret asked.
“Adrian Vale delivered the initial documents.”
Her last doubt disappeared.
“Is he here now?”
Daniel hesitated.
“He arrived twenty minutes ago with Miss Cross.”
“Tiffany is here?”
“They asked to inspect the private bridal suite.”
Margaret moved toward the door.
Daniel stepped in front of her.
“Mrs. Hale, there is something you should hear first.”
He opened an audio file.
The recording had been captured through the venue’s internal customer-service system when Tiffany called to change the second ceremony.
Tiffany’s voice filled the office.
“The name on the contract must remain Tiffany Avery. The groom’s full name cannot appear on any invoice sent to Margaret Hale.”
A hotel employee asked why.
“Because Mrs. Hale is old-fashioned,” Tiffany replied. “She will ask unnecessary questions.”
A man spoke in the background.
Adrian.
“Tell them the final payment will clear after Ethan signs the trust release.”
Margaret stopped breathing for a moment.
The Hale family trust had strict conditions. Ethan would receive control of a major portion of David’s estate thirty days after marriage, provided his spouse signed a financial disclosure agreement.
Margaret had believed the rule was outdated.
Now she understood why Tiffany had refused to sign the original disclosure.
Daniel paused the recording.
“There is more.”
“Play it.”
Tiffany’s voice returned.
“After the first wedding, we only need enough time to move the money.”
The employee asked whether she meant the August event.
Tiffany laughed.
“No. I mean after Ethan’s wedding.”
Adrian spoke again.
“Do not use his name on this line.”
Then came the sound of paper moving.
Tiffany lowered her voice.
“Once Margaret is blamed for the transfers, Ethan will never believe her again.”
The recording ended.
Margaret gripped the back of a chair.
Daniel watched her carefully.
“Would you like me to call the police?”
“Not yet.”
“Mrs. Hale…”
“If they know we have this, they will destroy whatever they have not already moved.”
She looked through the small window in Daniel’s office door.
At the end of the corridor, Tiffany and Adrian emerged from the elevator.
They were arguing.
Tiffany carried a white folder.
Adrian reached for it, but she pulled it away.
Margaret stepped behind the partly open door and listened as they passed.
“We should cancel the August ceremony,” Adrian whispered.
“Not until Ethan signs.”
“Margaret is asking questions.”
“She always asks questions. That does not mean Ethan listens.”
“And if he does?”
Tiffany stopped walking.
“Then we make sure he believes his mother forged the contracts.”
Adrian looked toward the office corridor.
Margaret moved farther into the shadows.
Tiffany continued.
“By Saturday night, Margaret will either pay for both weddings or lose her son.”
Then they entered the ballroom.
Margaret waited until their footsteps disappeared.
Only after she returned to Daniel’s office did she notice that Tiffany had dropped something near the elevator.
It was a hotel key card.
May you like
Written across the paper sleeve were three words.
Bridal Suite Two.
