Chapter 2 - THE MEN AT THE DOOR
Adrian moved first.
He crossed the foyer toward the front windows.
“Who the hell are they?”
Vanessa grabbed his arm.
“Are those reporters?”
“No.”
I knew exactly who they were.
That frightened me more than I expected.
The first man through the door was Daniel Mercer, my father's chief legal officer.
Gray suit.
Silver hair.
No wasted movements.
I had known him since I was thirteen.
He took one look at me on the floor.
His expression hardened.
“Mrs. Vale.”
Adrian stepped in front of him.
“This is private property.”
Daniel looked at him.
“I know.”
“Then get out.”
“I’m afraid that would be difficult.”
Adrian laughed sharply.
“Why?”
Daniel removed a document from his leather case.
“Because this property is not yours.”
Silence.
Vanessa blinked.
“What?”
Adrian snatched the paper.
His eyes moved down the page.
“This is nonsense.”
“No.”
“This house is held by Stonebridge Residential Holdings.”
“Yes.”
“I own Stonebridge.”
Daniel looked almost amused.
“No, Mr. Vale. You control a minority interest through Vale Development.”
Adrian went still.
Daniel continued.
“The majority beneficial owner is Eleanor Mercer.”
Me.
Vanessa turned toward me so fast her hair swung across her shoulder.
“You?”
I pushed myself upright using the wall.
Daniel immediately stepped toward me.
“Do you need medical care?”
“I will.”
Adrian looked from the paperwork to my face.
“You told me this house came through an investor.”
“It did.”
“You?”
“Yes.”
His face twisted.
“You lied.”
I almost laughed.
“You never asked.”
“You deliberately hid this from me!”
“And you deliberately slept with another woman.”
Vanessa snapped, “Don't speak to him like that.”
Daniel looked at her.
“And you are?”
Her confidence faltered.
“Vanessa Cole.”
Daniel nodded once.
“Yes. We've already seen your name.”
The color left her face.
“Seen my name where?”
Daniel ignored her.
Two more attorneys entered.
Behind them came a woman carrying a laptop and a sealed evidence bag.
Adrian stared.
“What is happening?”
Daniel handed him another paper.
“Vale Meridian's emergency credit line was secured by assets ultimately controlled by Mercer Global Capital.”
Adrian's mouth opened.
No words came out.
“When your wife contacted Chairman Mercer tonight,” Daniel continued, “the discretionary guarantees supporting those loans were withdrawn.”
Adrian looked at me.
“You funded my company?”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“My father made sure you had a chance.”
“You manipulated my business!”
“No, Adrian. I protected it.”
“For three years?”
“For three years.”
His anger returned.
“You had no right.”
That almost broke something inside me.
I looked around at the mansion.
At the divorce papers.
At the crop on the table.
Then back at him.
“No right?”
Daniel stepped between us.
“Mr. Vale, I strongly suggest you remain where you are.”
Adrian pointed at him.
“You don't give orders in my house.”
Daniel's eyes dropped toward the floor.
Then toward me.
“The security footage will determine whose house contains evidence of a felony.”
Nobody spoke.
Adrian froze.
Vanessa's eyes shot toward the small camera above the foyer.
I had almost forgotten it.
Almost.
Daniel looked at me.
“Eleanor, did Mr. Vale assault you tonight?”
Adrian stepped forward.
“She consented to—”
“No.”
My voice cut through his.
Everyone stopped.
I stared at my husband.
“I did not.”
Daniel nodded.
The woman with the laptop began typing.
Vanessa suddenly backed away.
“This has nothing to do with me.”
I looked at her.
“You were standing right here.”
“I never touched you.”
“No.”
I glanced toward the security camera.
“You only encouraged him.”
Her face changed.
Adrian noticed.
“Vanessa?”
She said nothing.
His phone rang again.
He looked at the screen.
Chief Financial Officer.
Adrian answered.
“What now?”
I could hear a man's panicked voice from across the room.
Adrian's face drained.
“What missing funds?”
Vanessa stopped breathing.
Adrian looked at her.
The voice on the phone continued.
His eyes narrowed.
May you like
Then he asked the question that changed everything.
“Why is Vanessa's name on the transfer?”
