Chapter 5 - The False Wife
Vanessa was gone by the time Adrian reached the lobby.
But the fake identification remained.
VANESSA COLE.
Spouse of Adrian Cole.
Daniel held it under the light.
"This is sophisticated."
"She's six weeks away from marrying me."
"Then she was planning ahead."
Adrian's phone rang.
Maria.
"Sir, you need to come home."
"What happened?"
"Miss Vanessa is here."
Adrian stopped.
"What?"
"She came through the service entrance."
His stomach dropped.
"Sophie?"
"With me."
"Lock the nursery. Call security."
Maria lowered her voice.
"She isn't looking for Sophie."
"Then what is she doing?"
A crash sounded through the phone.
Maria gasped.
"Your study."
Adrian and Daniel ran for the car.
By the time they reached the mansion, two security guards were standing in the foyer.
Vanessa sat on the sofa.
Perfectly calm.
Adrian stormed in.
"You broke into my study?"
"I live here."
"Not anymore."
She smiled.
"You're emotional."
He threw the fake ID onto the table.
Her smile vanished.
Daniel watched her carefully.
Vanessa looked at the card, then at Adrian.
"I can explain."
"Good. Start with why you forged my last name."
"I didn't forge anything."
"Then start with Claire."
Vanessa's breathing changed.
Adrian placed a copy of Claire's letter on the table.
Vanessa read one line.
Her eyes sharpened.
"You opened the box."
"Yes."
"You don't understand what she was doing."
"She was protecting Sophie."
"She was destroying your company."
"You told me you barely knew her."
Vanessa stood.
"I was trying to protect you!"
"By stealing from my daughter's trust?"
"I never stole a dollar."
"Graham did?"
Silence.
That was answer enough.
Adrian stepped closer.
"What happened to Claire's car?"
Vanessa's face went cold.
"You should be careful what you accuse people of."
"Is that a threat?"
"It's advice."
A voice came from the stairs.
"Daddy."
Sophie stood there holding Teddy.
Adrian's expression softened.
"Go back with Maria, sweetheart."
But Sophie was staring at Vanessa.
"She was in Mommy's car."
Vanessa froze.
Adrian turned.
"What?"
Sophie swallowed.
"The day before Mommy died. Vanessa was in the garage."
Vanessa laughed. "She was five."
Sophie hugged Teddy tighter.
"You yelled at Mommy."
"Stop."
"You said, 'Tomorrow this is over.'"
Vanessa stepped toward the stairs.
Adrian blocked her.
"Don't."
For the first time, Vanessa lost control.
"You think a child's memory can ruin my life?"
Adrian stared at her.
"No."
He held up Claire's flash drive.
"But this might."
Then Daniel's phone buzzed.
He looked at the screen and went pale.
"What?"
Daniel turned the phone toward Adrian.
A live banking alert filled the screen.
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