Chapter 4 - THE FIANCÉE'S PERFECT LIE|
Ethan dismissed everyone from the drawing room except Vanessa, Claire, Marcus, and the family physician.
Vanessa remained standing near the fireplace. Her ivory gown looked absurdly elegant beside Claire's torn clothing and bruised wrists.
"You're making a terrible mistake," she said.
Ethan didn't answer.
He watched Dr. Samuel Pierce examine Claire. The doctor checked her pulse, listened to her breathing, and examined the bruises around her ankles.
"She is severely dehydrated," he said. "There are signs of prolonged confinement and possible medication exposure. She needs a hospital."
"No hospital," Claire whispered.
Ethan leaned closer.
"Why?"
"Because they have people there."
"Who?"
Claire looked toward Vanessa.
The woman laughed sharply.
"This is insane. Ethan, she has been missing for six months. You have no idea what happened to her."
"Neither do you?"
Vanessa hesitated.
Ethan noticed.
"Interesting."
"She could have been with anyone. She could have been hiding. She could have staged this."
Claire struggled to sit up.
"I was in the cellar."
"You expect me to believe that?" Vanessa asked.
"I heard you every night."
Vanessa's expression changed.
Claire continued.
"You used to come down after dinner. You wore perfume. You told me Ethan was learning to forget me."
"Stop."
"You said he would marry you."
"Stop!"
Claire began trembling.
Ethan stepped between them.
"One more word to her, and you'll regret it."
Vanessa stared at him.
"You're threatening me because of her?"
"I'm warning you because of what I heard."
He turned to Marcus.
"Take Vanessa's phone."
Vanessa backed away.
"You cannot do that."
"Watch me."
Marcus approached. She tried to move past him, but he blocked the doorway.
"Mr. Blackwell, you are making a serious mistake," she said.
Ethan looked at her hand.
"Give me the ring."
Her face hardened.
"What?"
"The engagement ring. Take it off."
"That ring belongs to me."
"Not anymore."
She slowly removed it and placed it on the table.
Ethan picked it up.
"Who paid for it?"
"You did."
"Then why is the receipt in my brother's company name?"
Vanessa's expression collapsed.
Marcus had found the receipt inside her handbag.
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Vanessa smiled.
It was a different smile now. No longer delicate or frightened.
"You always were the clever one, Ethan."
"Tell me where Daniel is."
"I don't know."
"Who is he working with?"
She looked toward Claire.
"Ask your wife."
Claire closed her eyes.
Ethan turned.
"Claire?"
"Vanessa didn't plan everything," she whispered. "She was following orders."
"Whose?"
Claire swallowed.
"Your father's."
Ethan stared at her.
"My father died."
Claire shook her head.
"That's what they told you."
Vanessa suddenly laughed.
"Now you see? This is why I told you she was unstable."
Ethan looked at her.
"You knew my father was alive?"
Vanessa's smile faded.
Before she could answer, Marcus's phone rang. He listened, then approached Ethan.
"Sir, we found something in the cellar."
"What?"
"A second room. It has a bed, a desk, and medical equipment."
Ethan frowned.
"Was it Claire's room?"
Marcus shook his head.
"No. Someone else was living there."
"Who?"
Marcus lowered his voice.
"We found a man's identification card. It belongs to your father."
Ethan's face went completely still.
May you like
Then Marcus added:
"Sir, there is one more thing. The room contains fresh food, medication, and a photograph of you taken yesterday."
