Chapter 2 - The Signature
The following morning, Caroline acted normal.
She made coffee.
She kissed Michael goodbye.
She asked about the wedding.
She even complimented his suit.
Michael seemed satisfied.
That frightened her more than anger would have.
He believed her.
That meant she was hiding her fear well.
At lunch, Grace sent her another message.
The property documents had been prepared through a private legal office connected to Harper Holdings.
That meant Michael had used company resources to move something Caroline personally owned.
Caroline stared at the message.
Then another arrived.
Check your financial statements.
She did.
Her fingers went cold.
There was a transfer she didn't recognize.
It wasn't enormous compared with Michael's wealth.
But it was significant.
The recipient was a holding company.
Caroline searched the company name.
It was registered to Margaret.
She immediately called Grace.
“What is this?”
“I don't know yet.”
“Michael moved money.”
“From your account?”
“No. From the joint account.”
Grace became silent.
Caroline understood.
“What?”
“Caroline, when did you open that account?”
“After our engagement.”
“Who contributed to it?”
“Both of us.”
“How much?”
Caroline told her.
Grace sighed.
“Don't move anything yet.”
“Why?”
“Because we need to know where the money went.”
That evening Michael came home carrying flowers.
Caroline looked at him.
He smiled.
“What's wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“You look tired.”
“I am.”
He kissed her cheek.
“Tomorrow we finalize the wedding details.”
She nodded.
Then she noticed something.
A small red mark around his wrist.
Like someone had grabbed him.
“What's that?”
Michael looked down.
“What?”
“Your wrist.”
He immediately pulled his sleeve over it.
“Nothing.”
Caroline watched him.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Then his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.
Margaret.
He stepped into another room.
Caroline couldn't hear everything.
But she heard one sentence.
“She still hasn't signed.”
A pause.
Then Michael said:
“Don't worry. The wedding changes everything.”
Caroline stood completely still.
The wedding changes everything.
Those words followed her into the bedroom that night.
She barely slept.
At 3:17 in the morning, Michael's phone lit up on the nightstand.
A message appeared.
Tomorrow is the last chance.
Caroline stared at it.
She didn't touch the phone.
She didn't need to.
She already knew.
The next morning, Grace called.
“I found something.”
Caroline sat upright.
“What?”
“The document you found isn't the main document.”
“What do you mean?”
“There is another agreement.”
“Where?”
“Filed privately.”
“With whom?”
Grace hesitated.
“Your future husband.”
Caroline's heart began pounding.
“What does it say?”
“I haven't seen the entire thing.”
“Then what do you know?”
Grace lowered her voice.
“I know the agreement was designed to take effect immediately after the wedding.”
Caroline stared at the white dress hanging in front of her.
“What happens after the wedding?”
Grace didn't answer immediately.
“Caroline…”
“Yes?”
“You need to be careful tonight.”
“Why?”
“Because whatever Michael believes he is gaining from marrying you…”
May you like
Grace paused.
“…he believes the wedding will make it impossible for you to stop him.”
