Chapter 3: The Secret Behind the Locked Office
Emily couldn't move.
Vanessa stood in the doorway with her arms crossed, looking directly at her.
Michael remained beside his desk, holding the small black notebook.
"What does that mean?"" he asked.
Vanessa let out a slow breath.
"Michael, you've been so focused on keeping Emily comfortable that you haven't noticed what she's been doing.""
Emily shook her head.
"Stop blaming me for everything.""
"I'm not blaming you. I'm telling your father the truth.""
"What truth?""
Vanessa walked into the office.
"Do you remember when your father gave you access to the household account?""
Emily frowned.
"Which account?""
"The account he set up after your mother died.""
Emily's expression changed.
She knew exactly which one Vanessa meant.
When Emily was seventeen, Michael had created a small savings account for her. It was meant to help with college expenses, emergencies, and eventually a down payment on a home.
Her father had explained that it was money her mother wanted her to have.
Emily had never considered it something she could freely spend.
"What about it?"" she asked.
Vanessa looked at Michael.
"She withdrew money without permission.""
Emily stared at her.
"That's a lie.""
Michael turned toward his daughter.
"Emily, did you make a withdrawal?""
"No.""
"Not even once?""
"I used some money for tuition years ago. Dad approved it.""
Vanessa shook her head.
"That's not what the bank records show.""
Michael looked down at the notebook.
"How much?""
Vanessa answered immediately.
"Almost twelve thousand dollars.""
Emily felt dizzy.
"That's impossible.""
"Then perhaps you should explain the withdrawals.""
Emily looked at her father.
"Check the dates. I haven't even had access to that account in over two years.""
Vanessa raised her eyebrows.
"Convenient.""
Michael rubbed his forehead.
"Vanessa, do you have the statements?""
"Of course.""
She reached into a folder and removed several printed pages.
Emily stepped closer.
The statements showed multiple withdrawals.
Some were transfers.
Others were electronic payments.
But the account number wasn't hers.
Emily noticed the last four digits first.
Then she recognized the bank's logo.
"Dad.""
Michael looked up.
"Yes?""
"That's not my account.""
Vanessa immediately shook her head.
"Emily, don't start.""
"No, look.""
Emily pointed at the account number.
"My savings account ends in 4821. This one ends in 9076.""
Michael examined the page.
Vanessa stepped forward.
"Those are linked accounts.""
"Not mine.""
Michael turned toward his wife.
"Where did you get these statements?""
"From the bank.""
"Which bank?""
Vanessa hesitated.
"Your bank.""
"That's not an answer.""
The tension in the office thickened.
Emily could hear the refrigerator humming in the kitchen.
Then Vanessa placed the papers on the desk.
"Michael, you're making this much more complicated than it needs to be.""
He didn't look at her.
"Where did the money go?""
Vanessa sighed.
"I used some of it to cover expenses.""
"What expenses?""
"House repairs. Medical bills. Household costs.""
"Show me the receipts.""
"Michael.""
"Show me the receipts.""
Vanessa stared at him.
Then she turned toward Emily.
"This is exactly why I wanted her out. She creates conflict between us, and suddenly every decision I make becomes a crime.""
Emily looked at her father.
"She threw me outside because she doesn't want me here.""
Michael didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he walked to the desk and opened his laptop.
"Let's see what the bank says.""
Vanessa's face tightened.
"Not tonight.""
"Why not?""
"Because you're tired.""
"I'm perfectly capable of checking my own accounts.""
He logged in.
Emily stood beside the desk.
Vanessa moved toward him.
"Michael, I think we should speak privately before you do something you'll regret.""
He turned.
"Why?""
"Because financial matters between a husband and wife should stay between a husband and wife.""
Michael stared at her.
"Then you shouldn't have involved my daughter.""
He returned to the screen.
After several seconds, he opened the transaction history.
Emily watched him scroll.
One transfer.
Another.
A payment to a company she didn't recognize.
Then a withdrawal of fifteen thousand dollars.
Michael leaned closer.
"What's this?""
Vanessa looked over his shoulder.
"An investment.""
"What investment?""
"A business opportunity.""
"With whom?""
"Someone I know.""
Michael scrolled farther.
There were recurring payments.
Every month.
Some were several hundred dollars. Others were much larger.
Then he found a transfer dated six weeks earlier.
Twenty-five thousand dollars.
He stopped scrolling.
"Vanessa.""
She remained silent.
"Who received this?""
"Michael, I told you. It was an investment.""
"What's the company name?""
She looked away.
He read the entry aloud.
"Vantage Property Holdings.""
Emily felt her pulse quicken.
The name sounded familiar.
She had seen it somewhere.
Then she remembered.
A few weeks earlier, Vanessa had received a delivery addressed to that company. When Emily asked about it, Vanessa said it was a business document belonging to a friend.
Michael opened another tab.
He searched the company name.
Several results appeared.
One was a property development website.
Another was a business registration listing.
He clicked it.
His expression changed.
"Vanessa, what is this?""
She said nothing.
He read the registration details.
The company had been formed less than a year earlier.
Its registered agent was a local attorney.
And its managing member was Vanessa.
Emily looked at her stepmother.
"You own that company?""
Vanessa lifted her chin.
"I have business interests.""
"With Dad's money?""
Michael closed the laptop halfway.
"Did you transfer our money into your own company?""
Vanessa's voice sharpened.
"Our money paid for our life together. I have every right to make financial decisions.""
"Not without telling me.""
"I didn't think I needed permission for every dollar.""
"Twenty-five thousand dollars isn't every dollar.""
Vanessa's expression hardened.
"You were never interested in what I wanted to build.""
Michael stared at her.
"What were you building?""
She looked away.
That was when Emily noticed the folder beneath the papers.
It was labeled PROPERTY TRANSFER.
Her stomach tightened.
"Dad, what's that?""
Michael pulled it out.
The folder contained copies of property records, an appraisal, and several legal forms.
He opened the first document.
Then the second.
His fingers stopped moving.
"Vanessa, why is there a deed transfer prepared for this house?""
Emily looked at him.
"A deed transfer?""
Michael read the first page again.
The property address was correct.
The legal description matched.
But the proposed transfer named a limited liability company as the new owner.
Vantage Property Holdings.
Michael looked at Vanessa.
"You were trying to transfer my house?""
Vanessa immediately stepped forward.
"It was only a proposal.""
"With my name on it?""
"I was organizing paperwork.""
"Why?""
"Because we need to plan for the future.""
"What future requires giving my house to your company?""
Vanessa's eyes flashed.
"Your daughter isn't going to stay here forever. Someone has to think about the financial security of this family.""
Emily stared at her.
"You told Dad I was trying to sell his house.""
Vanessa looked at her.
"And?""
"You're the one trying to take it!""
"Watch your mouth.""
Michael raised his hand.
"Enough.""
He examined the deed again.
Something about the signature caught his attention.
He moved closer to the desk lamp.
Then he picked up his reading glasses.
Emily watched his face.
"What is it?""
Michael didn't answer.
He turned the page.
Then he looked at Vanessa.
"Did you sign this?""
Vanessa's voice became quiet.
"Michael, we can discuss this.""
"Did you sign my name?""
"I was preparing the paperwork.""
"That's not what I asked.""
She took a step backward.
Emily could hear her own heartbeat.
Michael placed the document on the desk.
"That isn't my signature.""
Vanessa looked toward the door.
"Michael, please.""
"Did you sign my name?""
"I was trying to make things easier.""
"By signing my name?""
"I knew you would agree eventually.""
Michael stood.
"Get me a lawyer's number.""
Vanessa's face went white.
"You're overreacting.""
"Get me the lawyer's number.""
"Michael, think about what you're doing.""
"I am.""
He picked up his phone.
Vanessa suddenly reached for his arm.
"Don't call anyone.""
He pulled away.
"Why?""
"Because this will ruin us.""
Michael looked at her.
"Then you should have thought about that before putting my signature on a document I never approved.""
Emily remained near the office door.
She had never seen her father look at Vanessa like that.
Not with affection.
Not with patience.
With suspicion.
For the first time, Vanessa seemed genuinely frightened.
But then her expression changed again.
She straightened her blouse and wiped her palms against her trousers.
"Fine," she said.
Michael looked at her.
"Fine?""
"If you want to turn this into a legal battle, go ahead.""
She walked toward the desk and picked up the property folder.
Michael reached for it.
"Put that down.""
Vanessa held it against her chest.
"No.""
"Vanessa.""
"You have no idea what I've sacrificed for this family.""
Michael stared at her.
"What have you sacrificed?""
She laughed bitterly.
"I gave up years of my life managing this house. I supported you. I tolerated your daughter's attitude. And now you're treating me like a criminal.""
Emily stepped forward.
"You threw me outside.""
Vanessa turned.
"Because you don't belong here anymore!""
"Stop!""
Michael's voice thundered through the office.
Vanessa went quiet.
He took the folder from her hands.
Then he pointed toward the hallway.
"Go upstairs.""
Vanessa blinked.
"What?""
"Go upstairs. I want to examine every document in this office.""
"Michael, this is my home.""
"Then you should have no problem explaining what you've been doing with its paperwork.""
Vanessa's mouth opened.
For a moment, Emily thought she might scream.
Instead, she turned and walked away.
Her heels clicked sharply against the wooden floor.
When she disappeared around the corner, Michael sank into his desk chair.
He looked older suddenly.
Tired.
Confused.
Emily approached him.
"Dad?""
He rubbed his eyes.
"Come here.""
She stood beside him.
He took her hand.
"I'm sorry.""
Emily looked down.
"For what?""
"For not listening to you.""
She swallowed.
"I tried to tell you.""
"I know.""
"You always believed her.""
Michael closed his eyes.
"I thought I was keeping the peace.""
Emily pulled her hand away gently.
"But you weren't.""
He looked up.
She continued.
"You were making me pay for it.""
Michael's face tightened.
He didn't argue.
For several seconds, they sat in silence.
Then Emily asked the question she had been afraid to ask.
"Dad, did you know she was trying to put the house in her company?""
"No.""
"Did you know she was taking money?""
"No.""
"Did you give her permission to use my name?""
Michael looked confused.
"Your name?""
Emily nodded toward the real estate document.
"She had my name on that form. She said I was trying to sell your house.""
Michael reached for the paper again.
He studied it carefully.
Then he opened the folder and removed another document.
His expression changed.
"Emily.""
"What?""
He turned the page toward her.
It was a notarized authorization form.
Her name was printed at the top.
Below it was a statement granting Vanessa permission to communicate with financial institutions on Emily's behalf.
Emily stared at the signature.
It looked almost exactly like hers.
Almost.
But there was one detail wrong.
The way the final letter curved.
Her mother had taught her to sign her name with a small loop at the end of the y.
This signature didn't have it.
"Dad, I never signed that.""
Michael examined the notary stamp.
"Are you sure?""
"Absolutely.""
He looked at the date.
Then he checked the notary's name.
His face became completely still.
Emily leaned closer.
"What is it?""
Michael didn't answer.
He took his phone and searched for the name.
A business listing appeared.
Then a photograph.
Emily recognized the woman immediately.
It was Vanessa's closest friend.
A woman named Patricia Wells.
Michael slowly lowered the phone.
"Emily, do you know Patricia?""
"Yes. She's been coming here for years.""
He looked toward the staircase.
"She's the notary who witnessed this document.""
Emily felt a chill.
"Can she notarize something I didn't sign?""
Michael shook his head.
"Not legally.""
He examined the form again.
Then he turned it over.
On the back was a handwritten note.
Three short lines.
Michael read them silently.
His face lost all color.
"What does it say?"" Emily whispered.
He turned the paper toward her.
The handwriting was Vanessa's.
Once Emily is removed from the property, the remaining transfer should be completed without delay.
Emily stared at the words.
Then she looked at her father.
"She didn't just want me out of the house, did she?""
Michael slowly shook his head.
"No.""
He looked toward the stairs.
"She wanted you gone before you discovered what she was planning.""
At that exact moment, a loud crash came from upstairs.
Then Vanessa screamed.
"MICHAEL! YOU NEED TO COME UP HERE RIGHT NOW!""
Michael jumped to his feet.
Emily followed him to the staircase.
At the top landing, Vanessa stood beside the open bedroom door.
Her face was pale.
In one hand, she held Emily's missing wooden jewelry box.
In the other, she held a small photograph of Emily's mother.
But it wasn't the photograph that made Michael stop.
It was the envelope lying open on the floor.
An envelope bearing his name.
May you like
And beneath it, in familiar handwriting, were the words:
*IF YOU'RE READING THIS, VANESSA HAS FINALLY TRIED TO TAKE THE HOUSE.*
