Chapter 4 - A Place at Their Table
Victoria invited Emily to a weekend gathering at the waterfront estate.
The invitation surprised no one more than Emily.
By then, Richard had convinced Victoria that Emily was harmless. He claimed the café worker admired their lifestyle and could be useful whenever they needed discreet help.
At the estate, Emily served drinks even though she had been introduced as a guest.
Victoria’s friends laughed when she entered the room carrying a tray.
“She looks more comfortable working,” Victoria said.
Emily smiled politely.
While the others drank beside the pool, Richard entered his office to take a call. Emily followed several minutes later, pretending to search for a restroom.
The office door was partly open.
Richard stood near the window.
“The final transfer happens after the harbor celebration,” he said into his phone. “Once Victoria signs, the yacht belongs to us. Mercer Holdings won’t notice until it’s outside American waters.”
Emily activated the recorder on her phone.
A voice from the other end asked about the company chairman.
Richard laughed.
“There is no chairman. If someone appears, we’ll challenge the trust. Victoria is the only living Mercer with a legitimate claim.”
Emily silently stepped back.
A floorboard creaked.
Richard turned.
For one terrifying second, they stared at each other.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
Emily pointed toward the hall.
“I got lost.”
Richard approached her.
His expression softened, but his eyes remained suspicious.
“You should be careful in houses that don’t belong to you.”
Emily slipped her phone into her pocket.
“You’re right.”
He placed one hand against the wall beside her, blocking the doorway.
“Did you hear anything?”
“Only that you were busy.”
Richard studied her face before finally moving aside.
At dinner, he watched her constantly.
Emily understood that her disguise was beginning to fail.
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She also knew she had recorded enough to connect him directly to the scheme.
All she needed was to keep him confident until the recovery order was ready.
