Chapter 5 - The Woman Who Knew Everything
Nora's mother had died three years earlier.
At least, that's what everyone believed.
The documents suggested something else.
Her death had been investigated as an accident.
But the file showed inconsistencies.
Insurance changes.
Bank transfers.
Phone records.
And a strange meeting with Daniel three weeks before her death.
Nora stared at the documents.
“My mother knew.”
Charles nodded.
“She suspected Daniel.”
“Then why didn't she tell me?”
“She tried.”
Charles handed Nora an envelope.
It had been found inside a safety deposit box.
Nora recognized her mother's handwriting immediately.
She opened it with shaking hands.
My darling Nora,
If you're reading this, something has gone wrong.
I wanted to warn you.
Daniel is not the man you think he is.
Nora's eyes filled.
The letter continued.
I discovered that he and Celeste were involved before your wedding.
Nora covered her mouth.
“He was cheating before we married.”
Charles said nothing.
The letter revealed everything.
Daniel had pursued Nora because of her father's wealth.
He knew she would inherit a significant portion of Whitmore Holdings.
He had planned their marriage.
Celeste had helped him.
They believed Nora would eventually transfer control of her inheritance to Daniel.
But Nora's mother discovered the plan.
She threatened to expose them.
Weeks later, she died.
Nora couldn't breathe.
“Mom didn't have an accident.”
“No.”
Charles's voice was quiet.
“She was murdered.”
The police reopened the case.
Forensics were ordered.
Old evidence was examined.
Then they found the final piece.
A mechanic remembered repairing Daniel's car the night of the accident.
He remembered something strange.
The brakes had been deliberately damaged.
Nora cried for hours.
Not only because her mother was gone.
But because she finally understood why Daniel had been so determined to control her.
It had never been love.
It had been a financial operation.
She had been the prize.
And Lucy had been leverage.
That evening, Daniel was arrested.
But he refused to speak.
Until Celeste returned.
She entered the police station accompanied by a lawyer.
Then she asked to speak with Nora.
Nora agreed.
They sat across from each other through a glass partition.
Celeste looked exhausted.
Without makeup, without diamonds, she looked ordinary.
“I didn't hit Lucy because I hated her,” she said.
Nora stared.
“I hit her because Daniel told me if I didn't, you'd never leave him.”
Nora said nothing.
“He promised me the company.”
“You helped him murder my mother.”
Celeste began crying.
“I didn't know.”
“You knew enough.”
Silence.
Then Celeste whispered:
“There is someone above Daniel.”
Nora's heart stopped.
“Who?”
Celeste looked toward the door.
Then whispered one name.
“Your father's vice chairman.”
Nora froze.
Charles had trusted him for twenty years.
His name was Michael Grant.
And Michael had access to everything.
The money.
The legal documents.
The security systems.
Even the cameras.
Nora suddenly understood.
May you like
Daniel hadn't been the mastermind.
He had been a pawn.
