Chapter 5 - THE SECOND FILE
The answer came twenty minutes later.
Not from Damian.
From Ava’s supervisor.
“Ava, we need to talk.”
Claire Bellmere looked terrified.
She led Ava into a storage room behind the ballroom.
“A complaint was made.”
“What complaint?”
Claire shut the door.
“Someone says confidential donor information was accessed through your login.”
Ava stared.
“That’s impossible.”
“Three files were downloaded.”
“When?”
“Tonight.”
“I’ve been on the ballroom floor all night.”
“I know.”
“Then check the cameras.”
“We are.”
Ava’s stomach twisted.
“Who reported it?”
Claire hesitated.
“Langford Development.”
Of course.
Ava let out a bitter laugh.
“They’re setting me up.”
“Ava—”
“They are.”
“I’m not accusing you.”
“Then why are you shaking?”
Claire looked toward the door.
“Because the files contain financial information about the Harbor Children’s Foundation.”
Ava stopped.
The charity.
Damian’s future in-laws.
Vane’s investigation.
Everything was connected.
Elias appeared in the doorway.
Claire almost jumped.
“Mr. Vane.”
“I need five minutes with Ms. Knox.”
Claire looked at Ava.
Then left.
Elias closed the door.
“They planted something.”
“Yes.”
“What?”
He handed her his phone.
Martin had sent screenshots of access logs.
Ava’s username.
8:42 p.m.
8:44 p.m.
8:47 p.m.
At those exact times, Ava had been repairing orchids in full view of half the ballroom.
“They’re sloppy,” she said.
“Or desperate.”
“What was downloaded?”
“Donation ledgers.”
“Why?”
“Because one of the largest donors to this foundation is a trust connected to Langford Development.”
“So?”
“So that trust has been moving money.”
Ava looked at him.
“To where?”
“Shell companies buying East Harbor properties.”
Ava’s mouth went dry.
“The charity is laundering money?”
“Maybe.”
“Through a children’s foundation?”
Elias’s voice hardened.
“People who steal millions rarely care what name is printed on the letterhead.”
Ava sat down.
“This is insane.”
“It’s going to get worse.”
“Wonderful.”
“There’s a second file.”
She looked up.
“Another report?”
“An audio recording.”
Elias pressed play.
Damian’s voice filled the small room.
“…doesn’t matter where she got the numbers. Put my name on it. Langford wants a clean source.”
A second man replied.
“And if she notices?”
Damian laughed.
“She trusts me.”
Ava stopped breathing.
The recording continued.
“She’ll believe whatever I tell her.”
Elias stopped it.
Silence.
For four years Ava had wondered whether she had loved Damian more than he loved her.
Now she knew.
It hadn’t even been close.
“When was that recorded?”
“Twenty-two months ago.”
While they were still living together.
While Damian still kissed her goodnight.
While she was saving money to surprise him with a trip after graduation.
Ava pressed both palms against her eyes.
“I feel stupid.”
“No.”
“I was right there.”
“He deceived you.”
“I helped him.”
“You trusted someone you loved.”
“That’s supposed to make me feel better?”
“No.”
Elias crouched in front of her.
It was such an unexpected movement that Ava lowered her hands.
He looked directly into her eyes.
“It’s supposed to stop you from carrying his shame.”
Ava’s throat tightened.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Elias’s phone rang.
Martin.
Elias answered.
“What?”
His face changed.
“When?”
A pause.
“Lock it down.”
He hung up.
“What now?” Ava asked.
Elias stood.
“Someone just entered your apartment.”
Ava went cold.
“My apartment?”
“Building camera flagged a man matching one of Langford’s security contractors.”
“My sister is there.”
Elias froze.
“What?”
“My sister is staying with me tonight.”
May you like
Ava was already running.
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