Chapter 3: The Money Was Never Mine
For a moment, I genuinely considered running.
Not because I had nowhere to go.
I had a beautiful apartment in Miami, expensive jewelry, and enough money hidden in separate accounts to disappear for months.
But Marcus knew too much now.
And Ethan was standing right there.
"Marcus," I said carefully, "I think you should calm down.""
He didn't blink.
"Answer my question.""
"What question?""
"Where is the money from Ethan's trust?""
Ethan stepped forward.
"What trust?""
Marcus looked at him.
"Your grandfather established an education and inheritance trust before he died. I transferred management of it to the family office when you turned eighteen.""
Ethan frowned.
"Grandpa's money?""
"Yes.""
"How much?""
Marcus looked at me again.
"Four hundred and eighty thousand dollars.""
Ethan stared.
I crossed my arms.
"That money was invested. Investments fluctuate.""
Marcus's jaw tightened.
"The bank says the account was emptied.""
Ethan looked at me.
"Emptied?""
"Don't look at me like that.""
"Where did it go?""
"I don't know.""
Marcus placed his phone on the table.
"Daniel has the transaction records.""
I felt the room tilting.
I had known the money would eventually become a problem.
But I had expected another year.
Perhaps two.
I had expected Marcus to remain distracted by his business, his grief, and the endless stream of family problems I carefully created.
Instead, a security camera had ruined everything in less than ten minutes.
"Marcus," I said, moving closer, "you know I would never steal from your family.""
He looked at the red dress.
Then at the scattered glass.
Then at the envelope.
"Stop telling me what you would never do.""
The front door opened.
A moment later, Daniel Brooks entered carrying a leather briefcase.
He was in his early sixties, with silver hair and the calm expression of someone who had spent decades watching people lie.
"Marcus.""
"Thank you for coming.""
Daniel looked at Ethan's split lip.
"What happened?""
Marcus answered without taking his eyes off me.
"We have a problem.""
Daniel placed his briefcase on the table.
"Then let's establish the facts.""
He removed several printed statements.
I recognized the bank logo immediately.
My stomach dropped.
Daniel adjusted his glasses.
"The trust account was transferred into a temporary investment account eleven weeks ago.""
Marcus frowned.
"Who authorized that?""
Daniel checked the document.
"Your wife's signature appears on the authorization.""
"That's impossible," I said.
Daniel looked at me.
"Are you saying the signature is forged?""
I hesitated.
"I don't remember signing anything.""
"That's not the same answer.""
Ethan pulled out a chair.
"Show us the transactions.""
Daniel turned the papers around.
There were six transfers.
The first was $80,000.
The second was $95,000.
The third was $110,000.
The remaining transfers brought the total to $480,000.
Each transaction had been routed through a separate account before reaching a company called Vantage Lifestyle Holdings.
Ethan read the name twice.
"What's Vantage Lifestyle Holdings?""
Daniel looked at Marcus.
"An LLC registered eighteen months ago.""
Marcus's eyes narrowed.
"Who owns it?""
Daniel opened another document.
"Vanessa Cole.""
The silence was immediate.
I looked at Marcus.
"That doesn't prove anything.""
He stared at me.
"You own the company?""
"It's a business.""
"What business?""
"Consulting.""
"What do you consult on?""
I couldn't answer.
Ethan leaned forward.
"Did you take my grandfather's money to fund your company?""
"Watch your tone.""
"My grandfather left that money for me!""
"Your father was responsible for managing it!""
"Then why does your company have it?""
I slapped my palm against the table.
"Because your father trusted me!""
Marcus looked at Daniel.
"Can the money be recovered?""
"Some of it may be. But the transfers were made through several accounts.""
"Where is the rest?""
Daniel opened another folder.
"That's where things become complicated.""
He placed a photograph on the table.
It showed a luxury apartment building in Miami.
Ethan looked at it.
"What's that?""
"An investment property purchased through Vantage Lifestyle Holdings.""
Marcus stared at the photograph.
"She bought real estate?""
Daniel nodded.
"With funds originating from the trust.""
My mouth went dry.
Marcus turned toward me.
"Is that where the money is?""
I shook my head.
"That property isn't mine anymore.""
Daniel looked up.
"Who owns it now?""
I closed my eyes.
There was no good answer.
Daniel took out another document.
"The property was transferred into a separate company three weeks ago.""
Marcus stared at him.
"Whose company?""
Daniel hesitated.
Then he turned the paper around.
The name at the top was not Vanessa Cole.
It was ETHAN COLE.
Ethan went completely still.
"What?""
Marcus looked from the paper to his son.
Daniel spoke carefully.
"The transfer appears to have been made using Ethan's identity.""
I shook my head.
"That's ridiculous.""
Ethan stood.
"I've never owned that company.""
Daniel nodded.
"I understand.""
"Then why is my name on it?""
Daniel looked toward Marcus.
"That's exactly what we need to establish.""
I could feel the blood draining from my face.
The property transfer had been the final step.
If anyone investigated, Ethan would appear to be the beneficiary of the stolen funds.
He would look like the person who had received the money.
And I would look like the unfortunate wife caught in the middle.
Except I hadn't accounted for Daniel.
Or the camera.
Or the possibility that Marcus would finally stop protecting me.
Marcus picked up the document.
"Vanessa, did you put this property in Ethan's name?""
"No.""
"Did you use his identity?""
"No!""
Daniel quietly closed his folder.
"Marcus, I think we should preserve every document and contact the bank's fraud department immediately.""
Marcus nodded.
Then he looked at Ethan.
"Did you know anything about this property?""
Ethan shook his head.
"Nothing.""
He looked at me.
"Why would you use my name?""
I held his gaze.
Because he was asking the right question.
And I knew the answer would destroy me.
Before I could speak, Daniel's phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
Then he looked up.
"There's one more thing.""
Marcus exhaled.
"What now?""
Daniel turned his phone around.
A bank alert was displayed.
An attempted transfer had been initiated just seventeen minutes earlier.
The amount was $1.2 million.
And the destination account belonged to a company in the Cayman Islands.
Marcus looked at me.
"Vanessa.""
I didn't move.
Daniel spoke again.
"The transfer was authorized using your credentials.""
Then Ethan noticed the date.
His face went pale.
"That's impossible.""
Marcus turned.
"Why?""
Ethan pointed at the screen.
"Because that account was supposed to have been closed two years ago.""
May you like
He looked at his father.
"Who gave her access to it?""
