Chapter 3 - the fiancée they wanted guilty
By Saturday morning, Isabella's situation had become worse.
A second financial irregularity had been discovered.
Someone had attempted to sell a private collection of Moretti family bonds using scanned documents from Vincent's study.
The documents contained Isabella's fingerprints.
Vincent called her into the library.
Adrian was already there.
So were two attorneys.
Isabella stopped in the doorway.
"You invited lawyers?"
Vincent stood behind the desk.
"This is not a trial."
"It looks remarkably like one."
One attorney slid a folder toward her.
"The fingerprints were confirmed this morning."
Isabella did not touch the folder.
"Of course my fingerprints are on documents in this house. Vincent has shown me investment papers for months."
"These were kept inside a locked safe," Adrian said.
Isabella looked at him.
"Then perhaps you should explain how I supposedly opened it."
Adrian remained calm.
"Your access code was used."
"My access code has apparently become the busiest criminal in Connecticut."
Vincent's jaw tightened.
"Enough."
Isabella turned toward him.
"Do you believe I stole from you?"
"I believe something happened."
"That wasn't my question."
He looked at her.
The room became silent.
Vincent had always believed certainty was strength.
But there were moments when refusing to choose was its own choice.
Isabella saw that clearly.
"So you don't know," she said.
"No."
She nodded.
"At least that's honest."
Adrian stepped forward.
"For everyone's protection, it might be better if Isabella stays somewhere else while we investigate."
Vincent's gaze snapped toward him.
"I didn't ask."
"I'm giving you my recommendation."
Isabella studied Adrian.
He wanted her out.
Not just accused.
Removed.
Why?
She turned toward Vincent.
"I'll leave."
His expression shifted.
"Isabella."
"No. Adrian finally said something useful."
She pulled the engagement ring from her finger.
Vincent's face changed completely.
She placed the ring on the desk.
"I'm not ending our engagement."
"Then what are you doing?"
"Removing the part of your judgment that everyone seems to think I control."
She walked out.
Vincent followed.
"Isabella."
She stopped near the grand staircase.
He lowered his voice.
"Don't leave like this."
"How should I leave?"
"I need time."
"For what?"
"To find the truth."
She looked at him for a long moment.
"Then find it."
Upstairs, Lily watched through the railing.
Mia stood behind her.
Neither spoke.
Isabella walked toward the front entrance.
Before she reached the door, Mia hurried downstairs.
"Miss Reed."
Isabella turned.
Mia glanced at Adrian, who had appeared in the library doorway.
"Your scarf."
Mia handed Isabella a folded cream scarf.
Isabella frowned.
It wasn't hers.
Mia squeezed her hand.
"Take it."
Isabella understood.
She carried the scarf outside.
Only after her car left the property did she pull into a quiet roadside parking area.
Inside the scarf was a note.
27.
West cellar.
He isn't alone.
Isabella stared at the words.
Then her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
Silence.
"Hello?"
A distorted voice spoke.
"If you want Mia and the child to stay safe, stop looking."
The call ended.
Isabella immediately tried Mia.
No answer.
She called again.
Nothing.
Back at the mansion, Mia entered Lily's guest bedroom.
"Lily?"
No answer.
Her daughter's overnight bag was open on the bed.
The brass key was gone.
Mia's breath caught.
"Lily?"
She rushed into the hall.
No child.
She checked the bathroom.
Empty.
Then she heard Lily downstairs.
Mia ran toward the staircase.
Lily stood in the west corridor.
Adrian was beside her.
He held the brass key.
"I found it," Lily said proudly.
Mia stopped.
Adrian looked at her.
His smile was gentle.
"Your daughter wanted to help."
Mia descended slowly.
"Give me the key."
Adrian turned it between his fingers.
"You should have given it to me yesterday."
"What does it open?"
"You really want to know?"
"Yes."
He looked toward the west corridor.
"Then come with me."
Mia pulled Lily behind her.
"No."
Adrian's smile vanished.
May you like
He slipped the key into his pocket.
"That's unfortunate."
