Chapter 3: The Woman Behind the Company
Vanessa stared at David.
"You're David Morgan.""
"That's correct.""
Her expression changed immediately.
She adjusted her dress and attempted a smile.
"Oh, David. I didn't recognize you from behind.""
David didn't smile.
"That's understandable. You were rather busy.""
Vanessa glanced at me.
"Is this girl working for you?""
David looked at her.
"Her name is Claire.""
"I know her name.""
"Then use it.""
A strange silence settled over the terrace.
Vanessa looked around, apparently searching for someone who could explain why David Morgan was standing beside a soaked waitress.
Daniel stepped forward.
"Mr. Morgan, I'm the event manager. I'm sure we can resolve this misunderstanding.""
David turned toward him.
"Are you the person who told Claire to leave?""
Daniel hesitated.
"She caused an accident, sir.""
"An accident?""
"She dropped a tray into the pool.""
David glanced at the water.
"Did the tray jump out of her hands?""
Daniel's mouth opened.
No answer came.
David turned toward Victoria.
"Mrs. Sterling, may I speak with you privately?""
Victoria nodded.
"Of course.""
Vanessa quickly stepped between them.
"There's really no need to make this bigger than it is. Claire was careless, and I think everyone would agree.""
David looked at her.
"Everyone?""
Vanessa smiled.
"Yes.""
He turned toward the guests.
"Did anyone here witness what happened?""
Nobody spoke.
Vanessa's smile widened.
"See?""
Then Lily stepped forward.
"I saw it.""
Vanessa's head snapped toward her.
"What?""
Lily's hands were trembling.
"I saw you push Claire.""
Vanessa stared at her.
"You work here.""
"Yes.""
"Then you should be careful about making accusations.""
Lily swallowed.
"I know what I saw.""
David nodded.
"Thank you. What's your name?""
"Lily, sir.""
"Thank you, Lily. Please remain available to speak with security.""
Vanessa turned to Daniel.
"Are you going to allow this?""
Daniel looked increasingly uncomfortable.
"Mr. Morgan, the staff have been instructed to stay out of guest disputes.""
David's expression hardened.
"Then perhaps your instructions need reviewing.""
He looked at the security guard.
"Have you retrieved the footage?""
"Yes, sir. I'm waiting for authorization to display it.""
Victoria spoke immediately.
"You have my authorization.""
The guard nodded.
"Understood.""
Vanessa let out an irritated breath.
"Victoria, this is your party. Surely you don't want to turn it into a courtroom.""
Victoria folded her arms.
"No. I want to know why a woman working at my event was pushed into my pool.""
Vanessa laughed.
"You're acting as though I committed murder.""
"No, Vanessa. I'm acting as though I expect people to behave decently in my home.""
The guard returned with a tablet.
He handed it to Victoria.
Everyone gathered around.
The footage showed the western side of the pool.
There I was, carrying the tray.
Vanessa stepped into my path.
She grabbed the edge.
I tried to move away.
Then she shoved me.
The video played again.
And again.
There was no ambiguity.
No accidental slip.
No misunderstanding.
Vanessa had deliberately pushed me.
The guests watched in silence.
Victoria's face became pale with anger.
Daniel looked as if someone had pulled the floor out from beneath him.
Vanessa crossed her arms.
"Well, I barely touched her.""
David turned slowly.
"She fell into the pool.""
"She was standing too close to the edge.""
"Because she was serving guests.""
Vanessa rolled her eyes.
"Honestly, people are acting like she's some kind of victim.""
David's voice was quiet.
"She is.""
Vanessa laughed.
"David, please. You don't understand the situation.""
"I understand the footage.""
She lowered her voice.
"Can we discuss this privately?""
"No.""
"Why not?""
"Because you humiliated her publicly. I see no reason to give you private protection.""
Several guests looked away.
Vanessa's cheeks flushed.
She turned toward me.
"Claire, I'm sorry if you felt embarrassed.""
I stared at her.
"That's not an apology.""
"Well, what do you want? A written statement? Money?""
I shook my head.
"You pushed me into a pool and then watched your friends laugh while I struggled to get out.""
Vanessa rolled her eyes.
"You're being emotional.""
"No. I'm being specific.""
I stepped closer.
"You could have broken my neck. I could have hit my head on the pool steps. You didn't even ask if I was hurt.""
Vanessa looked irritated.
"Fine. I'm sorry. Happy?""
I didn't answer.
David stepped forward.
"That's enough.""
He turned toward Daniel.
"Your employment status will be reviewed.""
Daniel blinked.
"Excuse me?""
"Your response to this incident was unacceptable.""
"I'm employed by the Sterling event company.""
David looked toward Victoria.
"That's correct.""
Victoria nodded.
"And I will be addressing it.""
Daniel's face tightened.
"Mrs. Sterling, I've managed your events for six years.""
"Then you should have known better.""
He glanced at Vanessa.
She looked away.
David then turned toward me.
"Claire, the medical team is here.""
A paramedic approached and examined my knee.
Fortunately, nothing appeared broken, but the skin had been badly scraped.
They cleaned the wound and wrapped it.
As they worked, David pulled me aside.
"Are you sure you're okay?""
I nodded.
"Physically, yes.""
"And otherwise?""
I looked at the guests.
"I hate that everyone watched.""
David's expression softened.
"I know.""
He paused.
"Your father would have been furious.""
I looked down.
My father had died three years earlier.
David had been his business partner and closest friend. He had promised my father he would look after me and Ethan.
But I had never wanted people to treat me differently because of my last name.
That was why I worked under my mother's surname.
Bennett.
Not Morgan.
Not Sterling.
Just Claire.
I wanted to earn my own money.
I wanted to live without people assuming I was privileged.
And most importantly, I didn't want my father's death to become the defining feature of my life.
David knew that.
He had respected my wishes.
Until tonight.
"David," I whispered, "I don't want you to tell everyone who I am.""
He nodded.
"I won't.""
"Thank you.""
"But I do need to tell you something.""
"What?""
He looked toward Victoria.
"Your investment agreement with the Sterling Group is being reviewed.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
"Because our audit uncovered several irregular transactions.""
I glanced toward Vanessa.
She was now speaking quietly with one of her friends.
"What kind of irregular transactions?""
David lowered his voice.
"Money transferred from the Sterling Foundation into a private consulting company.""
"Whose company?""
"That's what we're trying to establish.""
My stomach tightened.
"How much money?""
"Approximately eight million dollars.""
I stared at him.
"Eight million?""
He nodded.
"The transactions were approved through several intermediaries. But the paper trail leads toward someone connected to the Sterling family.""
Before I could respond, Victoria approached.
"David, may I speak with Claire?""
He stepped aside.
Victoria looked at me.
"I owe you an apology.""
I blinked.
"For what?""
"For allowing people in my home to believe that money gives them the right to treat others as less human.""
She glanced toward Vanessa.
"Vanessa has been a guest here for years. I trusted her.""
I nodded.
"I understand.""
Victoria hesitated.
"There's something else. The woman who pushed you is not simply a friend of mine.""
"What do you mean?""
Victoria glanced toward David.
"Vanessa has been handling several charity events for my foundation.""
I remembered Lily's comment.
"The foundation money?""
Victoria's face changed.
"Who told you that?""
"A server overheard Vanessa arguing with you earlier.""
Victoria looked toward the terrace doors.
"Then perhaps I should tell you what happened.""
She took a breath.
"Last month, I discovered that several charity donations had been redirected. When I questioned Vanessa, she insisted it was an accounting error.""
"And you believed her?""
"At first.""
She paused.
"Until yesterday, when I found a document bearing my signature that I never signed.""
David's expression hardened.
"Victoria, you didn't mention that in our last meeting.""
"I was trying to verify it before making accusations.""
Vanessa suddenly appeared behind her.
"Victoria, darling, we need to talk.""
Victoria turned.
"Not now.""
Vanessa's eyes moved to me.
"Actually, I think now is a perfect time.""
She lifted her phone.
"I've just spoken to someone who can explain exactly why Claire is here.""
My stomach tightened.
Vanessa looked at David.
"Would you like me to tell everyone who this girl really is?""
David went still.
May you like
Vanessa smiled triumphantly.
"Because I think your little waitress story is about to become very interesting.""
