Chapter 3 - The Woman Who Wouldn’t Leave
Vanessa refused to leave the ballroom.
Instead, she followed Adrian into the adjoining study.
Emily remained behind with Frank.
She expected him to scold her.
He didn't.
“You have courage,” Frank said.
Emily shook her head.
“No. I have rent.”
Frank laughed.
It was the first genuine laugh Emily had heard all evening.
“You remind me of someone.”
“My mother?”
“Perhaps.”
Emily looked surprised.
Frank didn't explain.
Before she could ask, Adrian entered.
His expression had changed.
“Grandfather.”
Frank looked up.
“What did you find?”
Adrian placed the folder on the desk.
“Nothing illegal.”
Emily released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
“But?”
Adrian looked toward Vanessa through the open doorway.
“But she has been using my name.”
Frank nodded.
“For what?”
“Vendor contracts. Charity events. Private invitations. Staff instructions.”
Emily frowned.
“That sounds bad.”
“It is worse than it sounds,” Frank said.
Adrian picked up one page.
“She's been telling people I approved decisions I never saw.”
Vanessa appeared in the doorway.
“That is a ridiculous accusation.”
Adrian turned.
“You instructed my security staff to remove two employees last month.”
“They were disrespectful.”
“According to whom?”
Vanessa said nothing.
Frank watched her carefully.
“According to you.”
Vanessa's eyes moved toward Emily.
“This woman is a baker. She has no idea what she is talking about.”
Emily almost stepped away.
Then she remembered something.
Yesterday, before the event, Vanessa had walked into the kitchen and demanded that Emily sign a delivery receipt for ingredients that had never arrived.
Emily had refused.
At the time, she had thought Vanessa was simply entitled.
Now she wasn't so sure.
“I didn't sign it,” Emily said.
Adrian looked at her.
“What receipt?”
“The flour and chocolate delivery.”
May you like
Vanessa's face went pale.
And that was the first time Emily realized the pie had not been the real problem.
