Chapter 4: The Envelope Vanessa Brought to My Door
Vanessa stood outside my gate wearing oversized sunglasses, a cream designer coat, and the same smug expression she'd worn the night her mother humiliated me.
Diane sat in the passenger seat of the black SUV.
Neither woman looked particularly worried.
That bothered me.
People who had just been caught stealing millions of dollars usually didn't arrive looking so confident.
Marcus stood beside the window.
"Don't let them in," he said.
I looked at him.
"I wasn't planning to.""
My phone was still connected to Robert Williams.
"Mr. Williams, are you still there?""
"Yes.""
"Why did you tell me not to let Vanessa inside?""
He took a shaky breath.
"Because the envelope she's carrying contains documents she stole from my office.""
"What documents?""
"Original company records. And something else.""
I watched Vanessa lift her hand and wave at the window.
Robert lowered his voice.
"There's a second set of property deeds. The ones your acquisition team hasn't found yet.""
My stomach tightened.
"Why would she bring them here?""
"Because she wants you to sign something.""
I glanced at Marcus.
"What?""
Robert hesitated.
"She believes she can make you legally responsible for the company's missing money.""
Before I could ask another question, the doorbell rang.
Marcus looked toward the entrance.
"I'll handle this.""
I caught his wrist.
"Don't let them provoke you.""
He nodded and walked toward the door.
I followed him, keeping my phone in my hand.
When he opened it, Vanessa immediately smiled.
"Well, look at this. The happy couple.""
Marcus didn't move.
"What do you want?""
Vanessa lifted the envelope.
"Can we come in?""
"No.""
Her smile disappeared.
"Marcus, don't be ridiculous. Mom is in the car.""
"Then you can both stay there.""
Diane stepped out of the SUV.
"Marcus Williams, I did not raise you to speak to your mother like that.""
He looked at her.
"Then perhaps you should have raised me to recognize when my family was lying to me.""
Diane's face tightened.
Vanessa stepped forward.
"Look, I know you're upset, but we're trying to fix this.""
"By forging my signature?""
She rolled her eyes.
"Nobody forged anything.""
"Then why is my name on a property transfer I never authorized?""
Diane stepped between them.
"Your father wanted those assets protected. You know how careless he's become.""
Marcus shook his head.
"Stop blaming Dad.""
Diane pointed toward me.
"She's the reason you're doing this.""
I stepped forward.
"No, Diane. Your decisions are the reason we're having this conversation.""
Her eyes narrowed.
"Stay out of this.""
I smiled faintly.
"You're standing outside my house, asking to enter. I think I'm already involved.""
Vanessa raised the envelope.
"Enough. Nia, I have something that might interest you.""
I didn't reach for it.
"What is it?""
"An agreement.""
"What kind?""
"One that could make all of this disappear.""
Marcus laughed without humor.
"You're unbelievable.""
Vanessa ignored him.
She looked directly at me.
"Your company wants to buy our father's business. We know that. We also know you're interested in making a profit.""
I folded my arms.
"Go on.""
"Withdraw your investigation, proceed with the acquisition, and sign this agreement. You'll receive the company without any further complications.""
I stared at her.
"Why would I sign something without reviewing it?""
Vanessa's smile returned.
"Because you don't want this becoming public.""
There it was.
The threat.
Diane stepped closer.
"People might start asking questions about how you acquired your wealth. We wouldn't want your reputation damaged, would we?""
I almost laughed.
"My reputation?""
"You're a young woman with a lot of money. People will always wonder how you got it.""
I looked at her carefully.
"Are you threatening to spread lies about me?""
Diane lifted her chin.
"I'm simply reminding you that business can be unpredictable.""
I turned toward Vanessa.
"Give me the envelope.""
She handed it over.
I opened it.
The first document was a proposed settlement agreement.
The second was a property transfer.
The third was a personal guarantee.
My eyes moved to the signature line.
My name was already printed there.
Nia Carter.
I looked up.
"Why is my name on this?""
Vanessa shrugged.
"It's a standard document.""
"No, it isn't.""
I turned another page.
The agreement stated that Carter Global Holdings would assume responsibility for all outstanding liabilities connected to Williams Industrial Holdings.
Including the questionable loans.
Including the missing funds.
And including any future claims arising from the property transfers.
In exchange, the Williams family would receive a substantial payment after closing.
I looked at Vanessa.
"You want me to purchase the company, assume its debts, and personally protect you from legal consequences?""
Her expression hardened.
"That's not how I'd describe it.""
"How would you describe it?""
"An opportunity.""
I placed the documents on the table beside the entrance.
"An opportunity to go to prison?""
Diane gasped.
"Watch your mouth!""
Marcus stepped forward.
"Mom, leave.""
She looked at him as though he had slapped her.
"You're choosing her over your family?""
He stared at her.
"No. I'm choosing the truth.""
Vanessa suddenly pulled another sheet from her handbag.
"Before you make any decisions, perhaps you should see this.""
She held it toward Marcus.
It was a bank statement.
His name appeared at the top.
So did an account number he didn't recognize.
"What is this?"" he asked.
Vanessa smiled.
"Your account.""
"I don't have this account.""
"Really?""
She pointed to several deposits.
"Then explain why almost three hundred thousand dollars passed through it.""
Marcus stared at the statement.
His face lost its color.
"I've never seen this.""
Vanessa shrugged.
"That's what you should tell the investigators.""
I took the document from her.
The transactions dated back nearly eleven months.
Several payments had come from the company's accounts.
Others had been sent to an offshore holding company.
Then I noticed something.
The account had been opened using Marcus's old home address.
But the contact email belonged to someone else.
I recognized the domain.
It was associated with Vanessa's consulting firm.
I looked up.
"Vanessa, this account was opened using your company's email address.""
Her smile vanished.
For the first time, she looked genuinely uncomfortable.
Diane immediately intervened.
"That's enough. We came here to settle this peacefully.""
I placed the statement beside the agreement.
"Then explain why your daughter opened an account in Marcus's name.""
Diane looked at Vanessa.
Vanessa looked away.
And that small movement told me more than any confession could have.
Marcus stepped forward.
"Vanessa, did you use my identity?""
She shook her head.
"Don't listen to her.""
"Answer me!""
"You're being manipulated!""
He looked at her with disbelief.
"Did you use my identity?""
Vanessa suddenly shouted.
"Because someone had to save the company!""
The words hung in the air.
Diane closed her eyes.
Vanessa realized what she had admitted.
I picked up my phone.
"Rachel, are you still connected?""
My chief operating officer answered immediately.
"Yes.""
"Did you hear that?""
"Every word.""
Vanessa stared at my phone.
Diane's face turned white.
I continued.
"Preserve the recording and send it to our legal team.""
Vanessa lunged toward the phone.
Marcus stepped between us.
"Don't touch her!""
Diane grabbed her daughter's arm.
"Get in the car. Now.""
Vanessa pulled away.
"Mom, we can't leave!""
But Diane was already walking toward the SUV.
Before getting inside, she turned toward me.
"You have no idea what you're getting yourself into.""
I held her gaze.
"Then perhaps you should stop giving me reasons to find out.""
The SUV pulled away.
Marcus remained at the doorway.
He looked exhausted.
I touched his shoulder.
"Are you okay?""
He shook his head.
"No.""
I nodded.
"Neither am I.""
Then my phone vibrated.
Rachel had sent another message.
Emergency discovery: The offshore company receiving funds is registered under the name of a Carter Global employee.
I read it again.
Then I felt my stomach drop.
May you like
Someone inside my own company had been helping the Williams family.
And that meant the betrayal was much closer than I had imagined.
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