Chapter 3: The Secret Behind the Gala
I should have walked away.
That was the logical thing to do.
I was a waitress.
Not a detective.
Not a lawyer.
Not someone who belonged in the middle of a battle between billionaires and powerful families.
But something about Adrian’s expression stopped me.
I had seen rich people angry before.
I had seen them annoyed because their table wasn’t perfect or because their favorite champagne wasn’t available.
This was different.
This was fear.
Real fear.
“What does it prove?”” I asked.
Adrian folded the paper carefully.
“Something that could destroy a lot of people.””
Lily looked at him.
“You promised me you would help.””
“I will.””
“Then it’s time.””
I looked between them.
“Help with what?””
Neither answered immediately.
Finally, Lily spoke.
“Victoria Ashford stole my father’s company.””
I blinked.
“What?””
Lily looked down.
“My father built a medical technology company. It created equipment for people with disabilities. Wheelchair systems.
Mobility devices. Things that changed lives.””
Adrian nodded.
“I invested in the company.””
“And Victoria?”” I asked.
“She married my father’s business partner,” Lily said.
“After my father died, she manipulated the board and took control.””
I looked at her wheelchair.
“You were involved?””
“I was the original heir.””
The room suddenly felt colder.
Lily continued.
“When I challenged her legally, she made sure nobody believed me.””
“How?””
Her eyes filled with sadness.
“She spread rumors that I was unstable.””
I felt sick.
“Because you use a wheelchair?””
“Because people believe what powerful people tell them.””
That sentence stayed with me.
Because I had seen it tonight.
Everyone watched Victoria.
Everyone knew she was wrong.
But nobody moved.
Except me.
Adrian looked at the envelope.
“This document is a copy of financial records showing Victoria transferred company assets before your father died.””
Lily nodded.
“And tonight she was trying to convince me to withdraw my lawsuit.””
I understood.
The slap wasn’t just anger.
It was intimidation.
“She thought she could scare you.””
“She always has,” Lily whispered.
Adrian looked at me.
“You changed that.””
I shook my head.
“I just did what anyone should have done.””
He gave a small, sad smile.
“That’s exactly why most people don’t do it.””
Before I could answer, my phone buzzed.
I checked the screen.
Unknown number.
I ignored it.
Then it buzzed again.
And again.
Finally, I answered.
“Hello?””
Silence.
Then a woman’s voice.
“You made a serious mistake tonight.””
My blood went cold.
“Who is this?””
“You know who.””
Victoria.
I looked at Adrian.
He immediately understood.
“Put it on speaker.””
I did.
Victoria laughed softly.
“You really think Adrian Bennett can protect you?””
Adrian stepped closer.
“Victoria.””
Her voice changed.
“Adrian, don’t pretend you’re innocent. You know exactly what happened.””
“You threatened Lily.””
“I warned her.””
“You attacked her.””
“She deserved it.””
My jaw tightened.
Adrian’s face became expressionless.
“Your mistake was thinking nobody was watching.””
Victoria laughed.
“You think one waitress changes anything?””
I felt my heart stop.
She knew my name.
She knew I was involved.
Then she said something that made my blood run cold.
“Emma Carter, you should ask your mother why she never told you about me.””
The call ended.
I stared at the phone.
“My mother?””
Adrian looked confused.
“What did she mean?””
I didn’t answer.
Because I had no idea.
My mother had never mentioned Victoria Ashford.
Not once.
But suddenly, a memory returned.
A conversation from years ago.
My mother standing in the kitchen.
Crying.
Saying one sentence I never understood.
“Some people will do anything to erase the past.””
May you like
At the time, I thought she was talking about my father.
Now I wasn’t so sure.
