Chapter 6 - The Engagement Dinner
The engagement dinner was supposed to be canceled.
Vanessa refused.
Two hundred guests were already arriving.
Reporters waited beyond the gates.
Canceling publicly, Damian’s attorney warned, could alert Charles that they had found the ledger.
So Damian made a choice Elena hated.
They would pretend.
For one more night.
Vanessa entered the terrace in a silver gown.
She took Damian’s arm.
“You clean up beautifully after betrayal.”
He smiled for the cameras.
“So do you.”
Across the room, Elena worked with the staff.
Mia remained upstairs with a trusted nanny.
At eight thirty, Charles Cross arrived.
Seventy-one.
Silver-haired.
Warm smile.
Cold eyes.
He hugged Damian.
“My favorite nephew.”
“My only uncle.”
Charles laughed.
Then his gaze settled on Elena.
“Still keeping the same housekeeper?”
“Elena runs the estate.”
“Of course.”
Charles smiled at her.
“Loyal employees are hard to find.”
Elena heard the threat underneath.
Dinner began.
Vanessa behaved flawlessly.
She laughed.
Touched Damian’s hand.
Played the affectionate bride.
Then dessert arrived.
A miniature version of the wedding cake.
Vanessa stood with a champagne glass.
“I’d like to make a toast.”
Damian’s eyes narrowed.
She smiled at the guests.
“To family.”
“To knowing who belongs at your table…”
Her gaze moved toward Elena.
“…and who doesn’t.”
Then two police officers stepped onto the terrace.
Everyone murmured.
Vanessa put down her glass.
“Officers?”
One approached Elena.
“Elena Reyes?”
“Yes?”
“We need to speak with you regarding missing jewelry belonging to Ms. Hale.”
Elena went cold.
“What jewelry?”
Vanessa covered her mouth theatrically.
“My grandmother’s bracelet.”
“I told you not to call police.”
The officer looked at Elena.
“We have reason to believe it may be in your belongings.”
Damian stood.
“No search happens without a warrant.”
The officer produced one.
Charles watched quietly.
Too quietly.
Security accompanied them upstairs.
Elena opened her closet.
Her hands shook.
The officer reached into her handbag.
And pulled out a diamond bracelet.
Gasps filled the doorway.
Vanessa began crying.
“I trusted you.”
Elena stared at the bracelet.
“That isn’t mine.”
Damian looked at Vanessa.
“She didn’t take it.”
The officer sighed.
“Mr. Cross—”
A tiny voice came from the hall.
“She put it there.”
Everyone turned.
Mia stood barefoot beside the nanny.
Elena rushed toward her.
“Mia, what are you doing?”
Mia pointed at Vanessa.
“Pretty lady.”
“She came in Mama’s room.”
“She put the shiny thing in the bag.”
Vanessa’s face drained.
“That’s ridiculous.”
Mia frowned.
“No.”
“You were mad.”
“You said…”
The little girl tried to remember.
Then repeated the sentence exactly.
“After tonight, they’ll both be gone.”
May you like
Charles stopped smiling.
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