Chapter 9 - The Betrayal Was Closer Than They Thought
The investigation remained quiet.
Adrian refused to accuse anyone without proof.
That decision frustrated Emily.
“You have an entire security team.”
“And I don't want them frightening the wrong person.”
“What if the right person keeps doing it?”
Adrian looked at her.
“Then we catch them.”
Meanwhile, Frank reviewed old foundation records.
He discovered that the same supplier had been paid six months earlier.
The amount was smaller.
The authorization came from the same office.
But Vanessa hadn't been engaged to Adrian then.
Emily noticed another detail.
The delivery address was a private warehouse.
She had seen that address before.
Not at the Morello estate.
At the ballroom.
On the back of a box.
She remembered the event staff unloading empty crates there.
She told Adrian.
They checked.
The warehouse belonged to a catering company.
The owner admitted receiving several payments but denied receiving the goods listed on the invoices.
Then he said something unexpected.
“Vanessa never came.”
“Who did?” Adrian asked.
The man hesitated.
“A man named Thomas.”
Adrian's expression changed.
“Thomas Reed?”
“Yes.”
Frank looked at him.
Thomas was Adrian's longtime chief of staff.
The room went silent.
Emily felt her stomach drop.
May you like
The betrayal was no longer outside the family.
It was sitting at Adrian's table.
