Chapter 8: The Mistress Came Looking for Her Inheritance
Margaret stared at the phone.
"Don't answer it," she said.
But I reached for the device.
"Why shouldn't I?""
"Emily, she's dangerous.""
I looked at the woman who had spent the last twenty-four hours revealing secrets about her family.
"Then perhaps it's time someone asked her a few questions.""
I answered.
"Hello?""
A brief silence followed.
Then Vanessa's voice came through.
"Emily. We need to talk.""
I leaned back in my chair.
"About what? My house? My money? Or the husband you told me was divorced?""
She sighed.
"You're being emotional.""
I almost laughed.
"You stole my home, Vanessa.""
"Technically, the property was transferred legally.""
"Using a forged signature.""
"That's something Daniel should explain.""
Margaret reached for the phone, but I held up my hand.
"Why are you calling?""
Vanessa lowered her voice.
"Because Daniel has made a mess of everything. And I don't want to be dragged down with him.""
"Then tell the truth.""
"I can do better than that. I can show you the original agreement.""
My heart began beating faster.
"What agreement?""
"The one between Daniel and me. The one that explains why he married me.""
I looked at Robert.
He silently nodded.
"Where?""
"Tomorrow. Ten o'clock. The coffee shop inside the Westin downtown.""
"Why should I trust you?""
"You shouldn't. But you should be interested in what your husband promised me.""
The call ended.
Margaret immediately stood up.
"You're not going.""
I looked at her.
"Mom, she may have evidence.""
"Or she may be trying to trap you.""
Robert intervened.
"I can arrange for investigators to accompany Emily. We shouldn't dismiss the opportunity.""
Margaret shook her head.
"I know that girl. She has been manipulating this family for years.""
I turned toward her.
"Then help me understand why.""
Margaret finally sat down.
"Because Vanessa believes Richard owed her everything.""
She explained that after Richard's death, Vanessa had demanded recognition as his daughter. She wanted a place in the family business and a substantial inheritance.
Margaret had refused to give her control of the company.
Vanessa responded by threatening to expose the family secrets.
But there was something Margaret hadn't known.
Daniel had been secretly meeting Vanessa long before Richard died.
I looked at her.
"How long?""
"At least fourteen months.""
"Before my husband started telling me he was working late?""
Margaret nodded.
I felt an old memory surface.
Daniel coming home at midnight.
Daniel refusing to let me use his laptop.
Daniel suddenly changing the password on our joint bank account.
Everything had happened gradually.
And I had trusted him.
The following morning, Robert arranged for two investigators to remain nearby while I met Vanessa.
I arrived ten minutes early.
Vanessa was already seated near the window.
She wore a black designer suit and oversized sunglasses.
When she saw me, she smiled.
"Emily. You look tired.""
I placed my handbag beside the chair.
"Get to the point.""
She removed a brown folder.
"Daniel and I made an agreement. He promised me part of the Carter estate in exchange for helping him secure the company's finances.""
"Helping him?""
"Your husband was desperate. The business was struggling, and he knew Margaret would eventually discover what he had done.""
She opened the folder.
Inside were bank transfers, emails, and a signed document.
I recognized Daniel's handwriting.
The agreement stated that Vanessa would receive twenty percent of the company's assets after the inheritance dispute was resolved.
In exchange, she would help Daniel transfer the family property and secure the $450,000 loan.
I stared at the signatures.
"Why did you marry him?""
Vanessa removed her sunglasses.
"Because Daniel promised me something more valuable than money.""
"What?""
"Recognition.""
She leaned forward.
"Richard never acknowledged me publicly. He never gave me his name. He never invited me to family gatherings. Daniel told me that if I helped him, I would finally get what my father denied me.""
I looked at her.
"So you decided to destroy his marriage?""
Vanessa shrugged.
"Daniel said you were just a convenient wife.""
My fingers tightened around the edge of the table.
"Did he tell you he was planning to divorce me?""
"Yes.""
"Did he tell you he was still sleeping in our bedroom?""
She looked away.
That was answer enough.
I took a breath.
"Why are you showing me this now?""
Vanessa reached into her handbag and removed a small USB drive.
"Because Daniel has decided to eliminate me from the arrangement.""
I stared at her.
"What do you mean?""
"Yesterday, he called me. He said I needed to leave Atlanta. He threatened to report me for stealing company funds.""
"And you want protection?""
"I want my share.""
I stood up.
"Then you have nothing to offer me.""
Vanessa grabbed my wrist.
"Wait. There's something else.""
I pulled away.
She opened her phone and showed me a photograph.
It was Daniel standing beside a woman in a hospital corridor.
The date was three months earlier.
I recognized the woman immediately.
It was Patricia Williams.
My mother.
But she had been dead for twelve years.
I stared at the screen.
"Where did you get this?""
Vanessa smiled faintly.
"Because your mother didn't die when everyone told you she did.""
My entire body went cold.
"That's impossible.""
May you like
Vanessa leaned closer.
"Emily, your mother is alive. And she knows exactly why Richard left you the inheritance.""
