Chapter 12 - Vanessa Was Never Just the Mistress
The next morning, Claire did not confront Vanessa. She asked Lucas to investigate the companies listed in the trust documents and every entity connected to the secret account.
“You think Vanessa is part of the financial plan,” Lucas said.
“I think she is more than an affair.”
“Most affairs involving a corporate attorney are more complicated than they look.”
“She asked Ethan what would happen if I became pregnant.”
Lucas’s expression tightened. “That is not a romantic question.”
Priya found the first connection two days later. VG Consulting had no employees, no office, and almost no business activity outside Cole Properties. Its largest payments went to an entity named Grant Strategic Holdings.
Vanessa’s family owned Grant Strategic Holdings.
“She has been billing Ethan through her own company,” Priya said. “That explains the consulting fees. It does not explain the transfers to the family trust’s opposing beneficiaries.”
Lucas opened another file. “There’s more. Vanessa drafted a proposed ownership structure that would place several Cole Properties assets under a new LLC. She would serve as managing counsel.”
“And Ethan would control it?”
“At first.”
“At first?”
Lucas tapped the document. “There are provisions that give a preferred investor the right to replace the manager if the company defaults.”
“Who is the preferred investor?”
“We’re still tracing it.”
Claire sat back. “Vanessa was going to marry Ethan and control the company.”
“Possibly.”
“She was helping Margaret restructure the assets.”
“That is what the evidence suggests.”
Claire thought of Vanessa’s confident smile at the reception, the bracelet on her wrist, and the way she had told Ethan to make Claire sign.
“Did she know about the trust?”
“Her drafting indicates she knew enough.”
“Then why ask Ethan?”
“Because she may not trust him.”
Claire almost smiled. “Good.”
She went to the office that afternoon under the excuse of collecting personal files. Ethan was in a meeting, and Vanessa was alone in the legal suite.
“You’re not supposed to be here,” Vanessa said.
“I’m still Ethan’s wife.”
“That doesn’t give you access to privileged documents.”
“You already gave me access when you helped move money from our account.”
Vanessa’s expression hardened. “Be careful.”
“You should be.”
“You think you understand what’s happening.”
“I understand that you wanted my house, my money, and my husband.”
“Ethan and I love each other.”
“Then why does your company own the invoices?”
Vanessa went silent.
Claire took one step closer. “You didn’t just want him. You wanted control.”
“You have no idea what Ethan promised me.”
“I know what he promised himself. That he could use everyone around him and still call it leadership.”
Vanessa’s eyes flashed. “He is the only reason this company survived.”
“Is that what he told you?”
“He built it.”
“I helped.”
“You stayed home.”
Claire felt the old shame rise, then disappear.
“I stayed home because he asked me to sacrifice for his future. I didn’t agree to finance your jewelry.”
Vanessa looked at her carefully. “You’re pregnant.”
“You seem very interested in that.”
“I’m interested in protecting my investment.”
There it was.
Claire smiled faintly. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For admitting this was never about love.”
Vanessa stepped forward. “If you think Ethan will choose you, you’re delusional.”
“I don’t need him to choose me.”
“Then what do you want?”
“The truth.”
Claire left before Vanessa could respond.
That evening, Lucas called.
“We traced the preferred investor,” he said. “It’s Richard Cole.”
“Ethan’s uncle.”
“Yes. The man Margaret calls a traitor.”
Claire sat on the edge of her bed.
“Why would Vanessa work with him?”
“We’re finding out.”
He paused. “There’s another development.”
May you like
“What?”
“Vanessa is meeting Richard tomorrow night. And she isn’t going alone.”
