Chapter 4: The Daughter Who Betrayed Her Father
Richard's finger remained pointed at Bianca.
Nobody spoke.
Not the guests.
Not the waiters standing beside the champagne tables.
Not even the string quartet, whose musicians had quietly lowered their instruments.
Bianca stared at her husband, then at the enormous screen.
"Richard," she whispered.
"Don't.""
Richard looked at her with an expression I couldn't understand.
It wasn't hatred.
It was disappointment.
And somehow, that seemed to frighten her more.
"Five years ago," Richard began, "your father discovered that someone had been using his company to move money into private accounts.""
Marcus stepped closer.
"How much money?""
Richard swallowed.
"Eleven million dollars.""
A collective gasp traveled through the ballroom.
Marcus looked at Daniel, who was standing near the exit.
"Eleven million?""
Daniel adjusted his jacket.
"This is an extremely complicated matter. I suggest everyone refrain from drawing conclusions based on an old recording.""
Marcus didn't look away from him.
"Then stay and explain it.""
Daniel glanced toward the security guards.
Two men in black suits had already positioned themselves beside the ballroom doors.
Richard continued.
"At first, your father believed Bianca was simply being manipulated by someone she trusted. He refused to believe his daughter could be involved.""
Bianca shook her head.
"That's not true.""
Richard looked directly at her.
"You were given every opportunity to tell the truth.""
"I didn't steal anything!""
"Then why did you ask Daniel to destroy the original accounting records?""
Bianca's lips parted.
No answer came.
Marcus looked at his sister.
"Bianca, what is he talking about?""
She turned toward him.
"Marcus, please. You have to understand. Father was sick. He wasn't thinking clearly.""
"Eleven million dollars, Bianca.""
"He was obsessed with money!""
"That's OUR company!""
Her eyes filled with tears.
"And I was his daughter!""
The words hung in the air.
For a second, I saw a glimpse of the little girl Bianca might once have been.
A daughter desperate for her father's approval.
But then she reached for her champagne glass and hurled it against the floor.
The glass shattered.
"Do you know what it was like growing up in that house?"" she screamed.
"Everything was Marcus this, Marcus that! Marcus was the responsible one. Marcus was the future of the company. Marcus was the son who could do no wrong!""
Marcus looked stunned.
"That's why you stole from Father?""
"I didn't steal from him!""
"Then where did the money go?""
Bianca wiped her cheeks.
"Some of it went to Richard's investments.""
Her husband went rigid.
"What?""
She turned toward him.
"Don't act innocent. You knew about the accounts.""
Richard shook his head.
"I knew you were moving money. You told me it was a temporary arrangement.""
"Because it was!""
"Eleven million dollars isn't temporary!""
The guests began whispering.
I stepped closer to Marcus.
He looked as though the floor beneath his childhood had disappeared.
"Why didn't you tell me?"" he asked Richard.
Richard's expression softened.
"Because your father asked me to wait until we had proof. He didn't want you caught between your sister and the company.""
Marcus shook his head.
"He's been dead for two years.""
"I know.""
"And you let me believe everything was fine?""
Richard lowered his eyes.
"I thought I could make it right before it reached you.""
Bianca suddenly laughed.
"How noble. Everyone protecting Marcus.""
She pointed at me.
"And now everyone is protecting her, too.""
I looked at the ruined overskirt beside my feet.
"Bianca, nobody forced you to cut my dress.""
She stepped toward me.
"You don't understand.""
"Then explain.""
Her eyes flashed.
"You walked into this family and took everything!""
I held her gaze.
"I walked into this family because I loved your brother.""
"And now you're going to own part of the company!""
"I didn't know about the trust until tonight.""
"Convenient!""
Marcus moved between us.
"Enough.""
Bianca turned toward him.
"You're really going to choose her over your own sister?""
He stared at her.
"I'm choosing the truth.""
She recoiled as if he'd slapped her.
For the first time, I understood that Bianca hadn't simply wanted me out of the family.
She wanted Marcus to remain under her control.
She wanted his loyalty without question.
And she wanted the company to remain something she could influence through him.
Richard walked toward the production booth.
"There's one more part of the recording.""
Daniel immediately raised his voice.
"Absolutely not.""
Richard turned.
"Why? Are you worried they'll hear what you said?""
Daniel's expression hardened.
"You have no authority to disclose confidential information.""
Richard reached inside his jacket and removed a small black envelope.
"Your father gave me this before he died. He told me to release it if the original evidence was ever compromised.""
Marcus stared at the envelope.
"What is it?""
"An audio confession.""
Bianca grabbed the table.
"No.""
Richard looked at her.
"Yes.""
"Richard, please.""
He opened the envelope and removed a small memory card.
"Your father recorded a conversation between Bianca and Daniel. They discussed the missing money, the forged signatures, and the person who was supposed to take responsibility if the investigation reached the family.""
Daniel's face had gone gray.
Marcus whispered, "Who?""
Richard looked at the memory card.
Then he answered.
"Your name, Marcus.""
My husband went completely still.
"What?""
Richard nodded.
"They intended to make it appear that you had authorized the transfers.""
Bianca covered her face.
And I suddenly realized the dress, the documents, the wedding, and the attempted transfer were all connected.
If Marcus had signed the wrong paperwork, he could have become responsible for eleven million dollars he never touched.
His sister hadn't just wanted to humiliate his bride.
She had been prepared to destroy his future.
The technician inserted the memory card.
A woman's voice emerged from the speakers.
Bianca's voice.
"If Marcus signs the authorization, everything becomes his responsibility. By the time he understands what happened, the money will be gone.""
Then Daniel spoke.
"And what about Nia?""
Bianca answered without hesitation.
"She's the easiest part. She'll leave him when she finds out he's broke.""
I felt Marcus's hand tighten around mine.
The recording continued.
Daniel asked, "And if he refuses to sign?""
Bianca gave a quiet laugh.
"Then we'll make sure he has a reason to.""
A pause followed.
Then she said something that made the blood drain from my face.
"His wedding is the perfect opportunity.""
The recording ended.
Marcus turned toward his sister.
"What did you do?""
Bianca began shaking her head.
"I didn't mean—"
"What did you do to my wedding?""
She looked at me.
And for one terrible moment, she smiled.
"Ask your bride.""
Marcus frowned.
"What does that mean?""
Bianca took a step backward.
Then she reached into her handbag and pulled out a small folded photograph.
She held it toward Marcus.
"Ask Nia why your father chose her.""
And when Marcus unfolded the photograph, his expression changed completely.
Because the woman standing beside his father wasn't me.
It was my mother.
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And written on the back were four words:
*THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT. BEFORE EVERYTHING.*
