Chapter 6 - the ring beside the report
Megan arrived shortly after eight wearing a fitted green dress and carrying a white mug from the boutique.
Daniel had already placed Rachel’s bank card on the kitchen island.
“Give it to her,” he ordered.
Rachel remained beside the counter.
“No.”
Daniel pushed the card toward her.
“Megan needs to pay her staff.”
“She should use her own money.”
“You know the boutique is struggling.”
“She spent eight thousand dollars from my account without permission.”
Megan rolled her eyes.
“Daniel said it was fine.”
“It was not his money.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
The argument moved quickly after that.
He accused Rachel of humiliating Megan. Rachel told him she had discovered the false invoices. Daniel denied knowing anything about them.
Then Rachel mentioned the loan application.
For the first time, Daniel looked frightened.
He reached across the island, knocking the mug from Rachel’s hand.
The ceramic cup struck the marble and shattered. Coffee splashed across Rachel’s blouse and cheek.
Nobody moved.
Daniel stared at the broken pieces as though they had fallen by themselves.
Then he pointed toward Megan.
“Give her your bank card or leave.”
Rachel pushed the card away.
“She already spent eight thousand dollars.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“Come back when you’re ready to obey.”
Rachel removed her ring.
She placed it beside the hospital report, lifted her suitcase, and walked toward the doorway.
Daniel grabbed the envelope.
The document beneath the report was a court order freezing all transactions connected to the house. Behind it were copies of the forged deed, the fraudulent invoices, and the divorce petition.
Megan leaned over his shoulder.
“Daniel,” she whispered. “What did she find?”
Rachel stopped at the door.
“Everything.”
As she stepped outside, two investigators were walking up the driveway with Nina.
May you like
Daniel’s kingdom did not collapse with a scream.
It collapsed with the quiet sound of official papers being delivered.
