Chapter 6 - VANESSA RUNS
Vanessa tried to leave through the kitchen.
Daniel noticed first.
"Gold dress. Side hall."
A police officer stopped her near the service entrance.
She immediately began crying.
"I didn't do anything."
I was sitting in an armchair while Ethan cleaned the cuts on my wrists.
"No one said you did."
Vanessa looked at Adrian.
He looked away.
That hurt her more than any accusation.
The officer asked whether she had witnessed the assault.
"I... I was there."
"Did you see Mrs. Cole restrained?"
"Yes."
"Did you see Mr. Cole strike her?"
Vanessa swallowed.
"Yes."
Adrian exploded.
"Vanessa!"
The officer turned.
"Sir, do not interfere."
My mother-in-law pushed through the guests.
"This has gone far enough. Evelyn is destroying this family over discipline."
Gabriel looked at her.
"Discipline?"
Barbara lifted her chin.
"You don't know what she's like."
"I know she paid for this house."
Barbara froze.
So did Adrian.
I looked at Gabriel.
He shrugged.
"Marcus told me."
Marcus stood near the fireplace reviewing documents on his phone.
"The mansion is owned by Bennett Residential Holdings," he said. "Evelyn is the sole member. Adrian has occupancy rights through the marriage, nothing more."
Barbara stared at me.
"You told us Adrian bought this place."
Adrian snapped, "Shut up, Mom."
That was the first crack between them.
Then Julian approached me with his tablet.
"Ev, I need you to see something."
His face was different now.
Not angry.
Professional.
Which was worse.
He showed me a wire-transfer draft created that afternoon.
Eight million dollars.
From Bennett-Cole's reserve account.
To a newly formed company called Hart Meridian Partners.
Vanessa's last name was Hart.
The authorization field contained my digital signature.
May you like
I had never signed it.
The birthday assault had just become the second-biggest problem in the room.
