Chapter 4 - A Marriage Built on Research
The police separated Daniel, Evelyn, and Lena.
While paramedics examined her injuries, Detective Maya Brooks reviewed the first section of surveillance footage.
The camera above the staircase had not been disabled.
Someone had tried to disconnect it, but the resort’s backup system continued recording.
The first recovered clip showed Evelyn following Lena out of a restricted corridor.
A second showed Daniel waiting near the staircase.
“What were you doing in that hallway?” Detective Brooks asked Lena.
Lena closed her eyes and remembered.
Minutes before the fall, she had left the wedding reception because she heard Daniel and Evelyn arguing behind a service door.
“She has the passport and the locket,” Daniel had said.
Evelyn answered, “Then get her signature tonight.”
“She’s already suspicious.”
“That is your fault. You were supposed to make her trust you.”
Lena had pushed open the door.
Inside the room were old photographs, property maps, and files marked Vale Investigation.
Daniel looked stunned.
Evelyn recovered first.
She claimed they were preparing a surprise related to Lena’s mother.
Lena did not believe her.
She grabbed one of the files and ran toward the lobby.
Evelyn caught her near the staircase.
When Lena threatened to call the police, Evelyn reached for the file. Lena pulled away. Then Evelyn placed both hands against Lena’s shoulder.
The footage captured everything.
There was no confusion and no accidental fall.
Detective Brooks watched the video twice.
Then she walked toward Evelyn.
“You are under arrest for assault and attempted destruction of evidence.”
Daniel moved forward.
“My mother needs an attorney.”
“So do you,” the detective replied.
Another officer placed a tablet on the table.
It displayed Daniel’s search history from a laptop found in his suite.
For fourteen months, he had researched Lena’s employment, address, family history, and inheritance records.
He had known exactly who she was before their first meeting.
May you like
Their romance had not begun by chance.
Daniel had selected her.
