Chapter 6: The Woman in Pink Knew Her Secret
The question Danielle had asked remained hanging in the air.
What if Victoria had recognized her?
Robert turned toward Richard.
“Find out when Victoria Harrington arrived today. I want to know whether she had any appointments at this hotel.””
Richard immediately called the front desk.
Ethan closed his briefcase.
“Robert, perhaps we're getting ahead of ourselves.””
Robert looked at him.
“Are we?””
“Victoria is a guest. She may have simply encountered Danielle by coincidence.””
Danielle studied him.
“Then why did she look so angry when I called my father?””
Ethan said nothing.
“Why did she keep insisting I leave before anyone could investigate?””
Still nothing.
Robert took a slow breath.
“Ethan, you need to decide whether you're going to help us establish the truth or continue protecting the people who are putting my daughter at risk.””
Ethan rubbed his forehead.
“I don't know everything Charles has been doing.””
“Then tell us what you do know.””
Ethan sat down.
For several seconds, he stared at the table.
Finally, he spoke.
“Charles approached me about acquiring the luxury division nearly a year ago. At first, I believed he was genuinely interested in expanding his investment portfolio.””
Robert listened without interrupting.
“He offered a substantial price. More than the division was worth on paper. I thought it was a good opportunity for the company.””
“You thought it was a good opportunity for yourself too,” Robert replied.
Ethan looked up.
Robert continued.
“I've seen the compensation proposal attached to the acquisition documents.””
Ethan's face tightened.
“It was a performance incentive.””
“It was a personal payment worth several million dollars.””
“I was negotiating on behalf of the company.””
“You were negotiating for yourself.””
Ethan lowered his eyes.
Danielle looked at him with disbelief.
“Uncle Ethan, did you really think Dad would sell part of the company without understanding what he was giving up?””
Ethan shook his head.
“No. But Robert was becoming increasingly reluctant to expand the business. I thought the Harrington proposal could secure the company's future.””
Robert laughed without humor.
“By handing over control to a family that believes money gives them permission to humiliate people?””
“I didn't know Victoria would do that.””
“You knew enough to keep their payments hidden.””
Ethan had no answer.
A moment later, Richard returned.
“We checked the guest records.””
Robert looked up.
“And?””
“Victoria Harrington checked in at 10:42 this morning.””
“Was she expected?””
Richard consulted his notes.
“Her reservation was made under her husband's corporate account. But there's something unusual.””
“What?””
“She requested a room on the executive floor and asked whether the ownership representative would be present today.””
Robert frowned.
“Why would she ask that?””
Richard continued.
“Her reservation notes also mention a private meeting with someone from the regional office.””
“Who?””
“Peter Lawson.””
Robert's expression hardened.
“Peter told us he had no knowledge of any special arrangement.””
Richard nodded.
“He appears to have lied.””
Danielle looked toward the elevators.
“Where is Victoria now?””
“Still in the hotel. She's waiting in the executive lounge.””
Robert turned to Richard.
“Bring her here.””
Richard hesitated.
“Sir, perhaps we should let security handle—”
“No. I want to hear her explanation.””
Ten minutes later, Victoria entered the executive lounge.
Her confidence had returned.
She had changed nothing about her appearance. The fuchsia dress remained perfectly fitted, and her diamond bracelet glittered beneath the chandelier.
She looked at Robert.
“Mr. Brooks, I hope we're finally going to put this unpleasant incident behind us.””
Robert gestured toward a chair.
“Sit down.””
Victoria remained standing.
“I would prefer to speak privately.””
“This is private.””
Her eyes moved toward Danielle.
Then toward Grace.
“I see.””
Robert placed the forged agreement on the table.
“Do you recognize this document?””
Victoria glanced at it.
Her expression barely changed.
“I'm not a lawyer. I don't recognize every document my husband handles.””
“Have you discussed my daughter's shares with Charles?””
Victoria adjusted her bracelet.
“Business matters are my husband's responsibility.””
“That's not an answer.””
“Then perhaps you should ask him.””
Danielle looked directly at her.
“Why did you slap me?””
Victoria's eyes narrowed.
“Because you were being disrespectful.””
“I was standing still.””
“You were staring at me.””
“Does that mean you get to hit me?””
Victoria leaned back.
“I'm not going to argue with a young woman who clearly doesn't understand how to behave in a professional environment.””
Danielle's face remained calm.
“I understand that hitting someone is wrong.””
Victoria gave a short laugh.
“Your father has clearly taught you that you can say whatever you like and expect everyone to agree.””
Robert's expression hardened.
“Careful.””
Victoria turned toward him.
“Mr. Brooks, I have been a loyal customer for years. I have hosted charity events here.
My husband has brought significant business to your company. Surely you understand that relationships matter.””
Robert looked at her.
“Relationships do matter. That's why I'm interested in the relationship between your husband and my former business partner.””
Victoria's smile weakened.
“I don't know what you're suggesting.””
“Then let's discuss the document.””
He slid the agreement across the table.
Victoria glanced at it again.
This time, her fingers stopped moving.
Danielle noticed.
Robert noticed too.
“You've seen it before,” he said.
Victoria lifted her chin.
“I told you. I don't handle my husband's paperwork.””
“Then why did your expression change?””
“I don't appreciate being interrogated.””
Robert leaned forward.
“Did you know my daughter would be at this hotel today?””
Victoria looked at Danielle.
“No.””
“Are you certain?””
“Absolutely.””
Richard placed the photograph from earlier that morning on the table.
It showed Charles standing outside the hotel with the folder.
Victoria looked at it for a moment.
Then she pushed it away.
“Charles meets business associates all the time.””
Danielle spoke quietly.
“Emily heard you talking on the phone. She said you mentioned that the new owner's family would regret it if the hotel changed ownership.””
Victoria's expression changed.
“Who is Emily?””
“The receptionist.””
Victoria turned toward Richard.
“Your staff members are apparently listening to private conversations now?””
Richard replied evenly.
“She was standing at her workstation. She wasn't required to pretend she couldn't hear you.””
Victoria stood.
“This is absurd. I'm leaving.””
Robert didn't move.
“You're welcome to leave when we're finished.””
“I have done nothing wrong.””
Danielle shifted Grace carefully.
“Then why are you afraid of the footage?””
Victoria stared at her.
For a moment, the polished expression disappeared.
Then she smiled again.
“Because, sweetheart, you have absolutely no idea what you're dealing with.””
Robert rose.
“Neither do you.””
Victoria picked up her handbag.
“You should ask your daughter why Charles was so interested in meeting her privately.””
Danielle froze.
“What?””
Victoria looked directly at her.
“Didn't your father tell you?””
Robert's face darkened.
“Victoria, stop.””
But she continued.
“Charles wasn't interested in buying the company just for its hotels. He wanted something much more valuable.””
Danielle's grip tightened around Grace's blanket.
“What did he want?””
Victoria smiled.
“The trust.””
Robert stepped forward.
“What do you know about the trust?””
Victoria's eyes moved toward him.
“Enough to know that your daughter has been keeping something from you.””
Danielle stared at her father.
“Dad?””
Robert looked genuinely confused.
“Danielle, what is she talking about?””
Victoria walked toward the door.
Then she stopped and delivered the words that shattered the room's fragile silence.
“Ask your daughter who helped her establish that trust six years ago.””
Danielle's face went pale.
Six years earlier.
She remembered signing documents in her father's office.
She remembered a lawyer explaining the arrangement.
And she remembered one person insisting that she should never have to worry about her financial future.
Ethan Cole.
Robert slowly turned toward him.
Ethan had gone completely still.
“Ethan,” Robert said.
His voice was barely above a whisper.
“What did you do six years ago?””
Ethan opened his mouth.
But before he could answer, Danielle's phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
A message appeared on the screen.
*Danielle, stop asking questions about the trust. Your daughter is safer if you do.*
A second message arrived immediately.
*And if you want to know who really signed your original documents, look at the witness line.*
Danielle opened the photograph attached to the message.
It showed an old legal document.
Her name.
Her signature.
And beneath it, the witness signature belonged to someone she had trusted with her life.
Someone standing less than ten feet away.
*Her father.*
But Robert was staring at the document with an expression of horror.
May you like
Because he knew that signature wasn't his.
And whoever had sent the message had just revealed that someone had forged his name six years earlier.
