Chapter 14: The Truth Behind the Accident
Vanessa held the document like it was a weapon.
“You want answers?””
I stood across from her.
“Yes.””
She laughed softly.
“You think I’m the villain in your story.””
I didn’t respond.
“Maybe I am.””
Her honesty surprised me.
“But you don’t know the whole story.””
The warehouse was freezing.
Every sound echoed.
Every breath felt too loud.
“What is that document?””
Vanessa looked down.
“Your mother’s final agreement.””
“My mother never signed anything against me.””
Vanessa smiled.
“She didn’t know what she was signing.””
My anger rose.
“You manipulated her.””
“Yes.””
The confession came so easily that it scared me.
“You admit it?””
Vanessa shrugged.
“I’m tired of pretending.””
I stared at her.
“You destroyed my family.””
“No.””
She looked at me.
“Your family destroyed itself.””
I heard footsteps behind me.
My father.
My mother.
The investigators.
Vanessa noticed.
“You brought them.””
I said nothing.
She laughed.
“Of course you did.””
My mother stepped forward.
“Enough, Vanessa.””
Vanessa looked at her.
“You should have stayed gone.””
My mother’s face hardened.
“You tried to kill me.””
Vanessa smiled.
“I tried to stop you.””
The investigator moved closer.
“Put the document down.””
Vanessa ignored him.
She looked at me.
“Your mother found out Richard wasn’t just stealing money.””
“What else?””
“He was planning to take control of your grandfather’s entire company.””
My mother nodded.
“That’s why I investigated.””
Vanessa continued.
“And when she found proof, she thought David could protect her.””
She looked at my father.
“But he couldn’t.””
My father looked away.
The guilt on his face hurt.
Vanessa pointed at him.
“He signed the documents Richard needed.””
“I was tricked,” my father said.
“But you still signed.””
Silence.
Then Vanessa looked at me.
“Your mother’s accident wasn’t supposed to kill her.””
Everyone froze.
“What?””
She looked at my mother.
“Richard wanted her scared.””
My mother whispered:
“Then why?””
“Because she refused to cooperate.””
The investigator stepped forward.
“Who caused the crash?””
Vanessa looked down.
For the first time, she looked afraid.
“Richard.””
The name echoed.
“He changed the car.””
My mother closed her eyes.
“And you helped him.””
Vanessa didn’t deny it.
“I helped cover it up.””
My father looked devastated.
“Why?””
Vanessa looked at him.
“Because I thought I could finally get everything.””
She laughed bitterly.
“But Richard never planned to give me anything.””
My phone suddenly buzzed.
Another message.
This time from the investigator.
*Richard Hale has left the country under another identity.*
My stomach dropped.
Vanessa saw my face.
“You’re too late.””
My mother stepped closer.
“No.””
Vanessa looked at her.
“No?””
My mother smiled.
“You made one mistake.””
“What?””
“You thought I spent fifteen years hiding.””
She pulled out her phone.
“I spent fifteen years preparing.””
Vanessa’s expression changed.
My mother pressed a button.
A recording played.
Richard’s voice filled the warehouse.
“Once Eleanor is gone, the daughter will inherit nothing until she is controlled.””
Everyone froze.
My mother looked at me.
“He recorded every conversation.””
The investigator immediately took the phone.
“This is enough.””
Vanessa looked defeated.
But before she was taken away, she turned toward me.
“Emily.””
I looked at her.
For years, I wanted her to suffer.
I wanted revenge.
But seeing her now…
She just looked empty.
“You should know something.””
I waited.
“Your father didn’t know everything.””
“What does that mean?””
Vanessa smiled faintly.
“There’s one person who helped Richard hide the money.””
My heart sank.
“Who?””
She looked past me.
At my mother.
My mother’s face changed.
Because she knew.
Vanessa whispered:
“The person who found your mother’s inheritance first.””
Then she was taken away.
I turned slowly.
“Mom?””
May you like
She didn’t answer.
And that scared me more than anything.
