Chapter 6 - The Cracks in the Empire
That evening, I received an unannounced visit at my apartment. It was Vanessa, Preston's bride of less than forty-eight hours.
She walked into my living room, her mascara ruined, looking exhausted and terrified. The arrogant woman who had worried about carpet stains at the reception was completely gone.
"I didn't know, Evelyn," Vanessa sobbed, sitting on the edge of my couch. "I swear to God I didn't know he was capable of that. He told me you were trying to steal his inheritance. He told me your daughter was out of control!"
"You watched him hit her, Vanessa," I said coldly, offering her no comfort. "You watched her bleed on the floor and cared more about the aisle runner."
"I was in shock!" Vanessa cried. "Position, reputation, money... that’s all Preston and your parents talked about! But today, the FBI served a subpoena at our home. They are investigating Preston for financial fraud related to your grandfather’s trust fund."
She pulled a Manila envelope from her purse and laid it on the coffee table.
"Preston spent the last two years draining millions from your grandfather's accounts to pay off his massive illegal gambling debts in Macau," Vanessa revealed. "He framed Sophie because he needed the trust money unlocked immediately to cover his track before the annual audit next month. He was desperate."
Inside the envelope were bank statements, wire transfers, and offshore account details proving Preston had systematically looted the family trust.
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"Why are you giving me this?" I asked.
Vanessa wiped her tears, her voice filled with bitterness. "Because when the police showed up today, Preston tried to blame the offshore accounts on me. He told his lawyer I managed his finances. He was ready to throw me to the wolves to save himself. He's a monster, Evelyn. Destroy him."
