Chapter 6: My Father’s Final Investigation
I read the first line three times.
Not because I didn’t understand it.
Because I didn’t want to.
Daniel,
If this document reaches you, then my concerns were justified.
My father’s handwriting.
My father’s words.
But the message felt like it belonged to someone who knew the future.
Someone who had seen the disaster coming.
I looked at Michael.
“When did he write this?””
Michael hesitated.
“Six months before his death.””
Six months.
Before I met Vanessa’s parents.
Before our engagement.
Before anyone knew we would get married.
My hands tightened around the paper.
“What did he know?””
Michael glanced at Ethan.
Then at my mother.
“She asked me not to tell you until today.””
My mother closed her eyes.
“Richard wanted to protect you.””
I looked at her.
“Protect me from what?””
She didn’t answer.
Michael did.
“From trusting the wrong people.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“This is insane.””
I looked at her.
“You keep saying that.””
“Because it is.””
“Then prove it.””
She opened her mouth.
Again, nothing.
Robert stepped forward.
“Daniel, your father was paranoid near the end.””
I turned toward him.
“Don’t talk about my father like that.””
“He was under stress.””
“He trusted you.””
Robert’s expression changed slightly.
“I respected your father.””
“Did he respect you?””
Silence.
Michael placed another document on the table.
“This was found in your father’s private files.””
Robert’s eyes immediately moved toward it.
Too quickly.
I noticed.
“What is it?””
Michael opened the folder.
“An internal review of company finances.””
Robert’s face became serious.
“Michael.””
“Yes?””
“You should be careful with accusations.””
Michael didn’t react.
“I am not accusing anyone.””
He looked at me.
“I am showing Daniel what his father discovered.””
I picked up the papers.
The numbers meant little to me.
But the names did.
Transfers.
Companies.
Hidden accounts.
And one company appeared again and again.
Hale Investments.
Robert’s company.
My stomach turned.
“Robert.””
He looked at me.
“Listen.””
“No.””
My voice was quiet.
That scared me because I knew how angry I was.
“How long?””
His face hardened.
“How long what?””
“How long were you taking money from my father’s company?””
Vanessa immediately stepped in.
“Daniel, that’s not what this means.””
I looked at her.
“You knew.””
She froze.
The smallest reaction.
But enough.
“You knew about this.””
“No.””
“You knew.””
She looked away.
That was the moment something inside me finally accepted the truth.
The woman I married was not confused.
She was not innocent.
She was hiding something.
Michael spoke softly.
“Daniel, your father believed the financial issue was only part of the problem.””
I looked back at him.
“What else?””
He handed me another page.
A single paragraph was highlighted.
My father’s handwriting appeared beside it.
Watch those who suddenly become interested when they believe they can gain access.
My eyes moved to Vanessa.
She looked offended.
“You think I married you for money?””
I didn’t answer.
Because I wanted her to answer first.
She stepped closer.
“Daniel, look at me.””
I did.
“I love you.””
The words should have meant something.
Months ago, they would have.
But now they felt empty.
“Then why didn’t you tell me about Robert?””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
She looked at Robert.
And that told me everything.
Not enough.
But enough.
Robert suddenly grabbed the folder from the table.
“This conversation is over.””
Michael stepped in front of him.
“Put that down.””
“You have no right.””
“Actually, I do.””
The two men stared at each other.
Then Michael said something that made Robert’s confidence disappear.
“Because your name is not the only one on those documents.””
Robert went still.
I looked at Michael.
“What does that mean?””
Michael took a breath.
“There was another person involved.””
My heart sank.
“Who?””
He looked at Vanessa.
She immediately shook her head.
“No.””
Michael’s voice remained calm.
“Your father suspected that someone close to you was helping Robert hide the transfers.””
I looked at Vanessa.
She looked terrified.
Not angry.
Not defensive.
Terrified.
“Daniel,” she whispered.
I couldn’t move.
Because suddenly I realized something.
My father wasn’t just warning me about strangers.
He wasn’t warning me about business enemies.
He was warning me about someone standing beside me at the altar.
Then my phone buzzed again.
Another unknown number.
Another message.
This time, it wasn’t a photograph.
It was a recording.
I pressed play.
A familiar voice filled the night air.
Vanessa’s voice.
Speaking to someone the night before our wedding.
“I don’t care what happens to Daniel.””
I stopped breathing.
Then her next sentence played.
“As long as I get the Carter family money, everything will be worth it.””
I slowly lowered the phone.
Everyone was watching me.
May you like
And Vanessa whispered the one thing I never expected to hear.
“Daniel… I can explain.””
