Chapter 5 - The Recording
After Richard declared that the marriage was over, silence filled the bedroom.
Celeste stood near the window, trembling.
Adrian pulled the blanket higher, as though a piece of fabric could restore his dignity.
Richard looked at Eleanor.
“How did you know?”
She held out her phone.
“I heard them talking.”
Celeste immediately stepped forward.
“She recorded a private conversation without understanding the context.”
“The context was clear,” Eleanor said.
Richard took the phone.
Celeste’s voice became urgent.
“Richard, please. We should speak alone.”
“No.”
“Your daughter already hated me.”
“This is not about Eleanor.”
“It has always been about Eleanor.”
Richard pressed play.
Celeste’s recorded voice filled the room.
“He signs whatever you place in front of him.”
Then Adrian’s voice.
“This was supposed to be simple. You marry him, convince him to change the trust, and we leave after two years.”
Richard did not move while the recording continued.
Eleanor watched the life he believed in collapse one sentence at a time.
When the audio ended, he placed the phone carefully on the dresser.
“Eight million has already been transferred?”
Adrian climbed out of bed and reached for his shirt.
“It was an investment structure.”
“Do not insult me.”
“The funds remain under corporate control.”
“Whose control?”
Adrian did not answer.
Richard turned to Celeste.
“How long?”
She looked at him with tears in her eyes.
“Richard, I did love you.”
“How long?”
“The situation with Adrian is complicated.”
“How long have you been sleeping with him?”
Eleanor looked away. Richard’s voice held more pain than anger now.
Celeste pressed her hands together.
“Before the wedding.”
Richard closed his eyes.
Adrian lowered his head.
Richard had trusted them both before he exchanged vows with Celeste. Adrian had advised him on the prenuptial agreement. He had approved the financial arrangements. He had toasted their future while secretly planning to steal it.
Richard opened his eyes again.
“Get dressed.”
Adrian buttoned his shirt.
“You cannot keep me here.”
“I am not keeping you anywhere. I am telling you to make yourself presentable before my security team escorts you out.”
Celeste shook her head.
“We can still fix this.”
Richard looked at her as though she had become a stranger.
“You didn’t make a mistake. You built a life around a plan to deceive me.”
“I was afraid.”
“You were calculating.”
“I had nothing when I met you.”
“And I gave you everything I could.”
“You gave me a room in a house that still belonged to Margaret.”
Eleanor flinched at the mention of her mother.
Richard’s expression turned cold.
“Do not blame my dead wife for the choices you made.”
Celeste’s tears stopped.
For the first time, she seemed to understand that charm would not save her.
Richard took his own phone from his pocket.
“Mrs. Dawson, ask security to come upstairs. Then contact Daniel Mercer and tell him I need him here tonight.”
Adrian’s face changed at the name.
Daniel Mercer was Richard’s private attorney.
May you like
Richard continued.
“And tell him to bring the forensic accounting team.”
