Chapter 5: The Secret Agreement
I read the agreement twice.
Then a third time.
Edward's signature was unmistakable.
The document stated that Harlow would receive $750,000 from a separate family investment account if she completed a specific administrative assignment before December 31.
The assignment involved transferring ownership records for the vineyard and securing the thirteen wine certificates.
I looked at Michael.
"Did Edward sign this?""
Michael examined the document.
"The signature appears genuine. But I need to verify the original.""
Harlow crossed her arms.
"See? Your husband knew what he was doing. He promised me that money.""
Nathan looked stunned.
"You never told me about this.""
"Because it wasn't your business.""
"You're married to me!""
"And your father promised me something. I had every right to claim it.""
I held up the agreement.
"Then why did you forge my signature? Why did you transfer the vineyard? Why did you withdraw money from a trust that belonged to Nathan?""
Harlow's expression hardened.
"Because Edward changed the terms.""
Michael looked up.
"What do you mean?""
She hesitated.
Then she took a step toward the desk.
"Edward promised me that if I helped organize the vineyard's financial records, I'd receive the payment. He said it was compensation for the work I'd done.""
Nathan shook his head.
"You never worked at the vineyard.""
"I handled the paperwork!""
"You visited twice.""
"That's more than you did!""
I placed the document on the desk.
"Michael, what exactly was Harlow supposed to do?""
He read the final paragraph.
"According to this, she was supposed to secure the original wine certificates and transfer them to the designated trustee. The agreement also required independent verification.""
"Was that completed?""
Michael shook his head.
"No. The verification page is missing.""
Harlow quickly interrupted.
"Because Edward took it.""
Michael studied her.
"Why would he do that?""
"Ask him.""
The room fell silent.
I looked at my daughter-in-law.
"You know he's dead.""
She shrugged.
"Exactly.""
That answer told me more than she intended.
Michael gathered the papers.
"I'll need to verify the agreement with the trust company. Until then, nobody should move or destroy anything.""
Harlow picked up her suitcase.
"Fine. I'm leaving.""
Nathan stepped aside.
But before she reached the door, I spoke.
"One more question.""
She stopped.
"Where is the 1982 Bordeaux?""
For a moment, she looked confused.
Then she smiled.
"Broken, obviously.""
"No. The bottle you smashed wasn't the original.""
Her smile disappeared.
I remembered something Edward had told me years ago.
He had discovered that wine collectors were increasingly targeted by counterfeit sellers. He had begun keeping certain rare bottles in a separate temperature-controlled warehouse while leaving less valuable display bottles at home.
I had never paid much attention to the distinction.
Until now.
Michael looked at me.
"Corinthia?""
I explained.
"The bottles in the kitchen may have been display bottles. Edward once told me that the original anniversary Bordeaux was stored separately.""
Harlow went completely still.
Nathan slowly turned toward her.
"You knew that?""
She said nothing.
Michael immediately called the warehouse.
After several minutes, he ended the call.
His face was grave.
"The warehouse confirms the thirteen original bottles were removed under an authorization submitted by Harlow.""
I closed my eyes.
"So she destroyed the wrong bottles.""
"Apparently.""
Harlow grabbed her suitcase.
"That's ridiculous. I don't know what you're talking about.""
Michael continued.
"The warehouse also confirmed that the original bottles were never sold to the buyer. They were transferred to another private storage company.""
"Where?"" I demanded.
He checked his notes.
"A facility in Nevada.""
Nathan stepped toward Harlow.
"Why would you move them there?""
She finally lost her temper.
"Because your father left me no choice!""
"What does that mean?""
"He was going to take everything away from me!""
Michael placed his phone on the desk.
"Mrs. Bellmont, I suggest you stop speaking until we understand the full situation.""
But Harlow was already shouting.
"Edward promised me that money! He knew what I had done for him!""
I stared at her.
"What did you do?""
She looked at me, breathing hard.
Then she said something that made the room go silent.
"I kept his secret.""
Michael's expression changed.
"What secret?""
Harlow looked at Nathan.
Then at me.
"Your husband wasn't dying of natural causes.""
Nathan stumbled backward.
"Stop.""
Harlow shook her head.
"He was investigating something. Something that involved his old financial adviser, the wine collection, and the vineyard. He discovered that millions had disappeared years before his death.""
I felt the floor shift beneath me.
"Who took it?""
Harlow picked up her phone.
"I have the original correspondence. I have the recordings. I have everything.""
Michael extended his hand.
"Then give them to me.""
She laughed.
"Not without protection.""
Nathan stared at his wife.
"Protection from whom?""
Harlow looked directly at him.
"From the person your father trusted most.""
I felt my heart pounding.
"Who?""
She opened her phone and showed us a photograph.
It was Edward sitting at a restaurant with someone.
Someone I recognized immediately.
Someone who had attended his funeral.
May you like
Someone who had hugged me afterward and promised to protect our family.
*Michael Reeves.*
