Chapter 5 - THE GIFT THAT WAITED IN THE DARK|
The private dining room was decorated with candles, white roses, and a view of the river that shimmered beneath the city lights.
Alexander arrived at 7:52 p.m.
He wore a black suit and the watch Victoria had given him for their third anniversary. He looked almost exactly as he had on their wedding night: confident, handsome, and accustomed to being welcomed wherever he went.
The hostess led him to the table.
He glanced at the empty chair opposite him and smiled.
Victoria was finally behaving sensibly.
At eight o'clock, he checked his phone.
No message.
At 8:10, he called her.
The call went unanswered.
At 8:20, he began tapping his fingers against the table.
Then Sophia entered.
She wore a cream coat over her pink dress and carried a small handbag. Alexander frowned as she approached.
“What are you doing here?”
“Victoria invited me.”
He stared at her.
“She did what?”
Sophia held up her phone.
“Look.”
The message appeared to come from Victoria's number.
You should join Alexander tonight. There are things both of you need to see.
Alexander's face darkened.
“This is some kind of game.”
Before he could call Victoria again, the waiter approached carrying a thick black folder.
“Mrs. Moretti asked that this be delivered to you personally, sir.”
Alexander opened it.
The first page contained a transaction summary linking Northbridge Holdings to several businesses in his network.
The second showed transfers to an account used to purchase Sophia's apartment.
The third contained a copy of the forged power of attorney bearing Victoria's name.
Sophia leaned closer.
Her smile disappeared.
“Where did she get that?”
Alexander turned another page.
There were bank statements, corporate filings, and a preliminary forensic report identifying suspicious signatures.
He reached the final document and stopped breathing for a moment.
It was a notice from Victoria's attorney stating that she disputed the authorization, had preserved relevant evidence, and would cooperate with appropriate authorities if necessary.
Sophia gripped the edge of the table.
“She knows about everything?”
Alexander looked at her.
“Be quiet.”
“But you told me—”
“I said be quiet!”
Several diners turned toward them.
Alexander lowered his voice.
“Who else has seen this?”
Sophia shook her head.
“I don't know.”
His phone vibrated.
A message from Victoria appeared.
Happy anniversary, Alexander. I hope you like your gift.
Another message followed.
Don't waste your time looking for me.
Alexander immediately called his security chief.
“Find Victoria. Now.”
His voice was so sharp that Sophia flinched.
“Sir, we've checked the residence. She's gone.”
“Then check every property we own.”
“Already doing that.”
“Every property, every airport, every private terminal. I want her location within the hour.”
He ended the call and stared at the empty chair.
For the first time in his adult life, Alexander could not make the world move simply by issuing an order.
Victoria had disappeared without asking his permission.
And she had left him evidence that could destroy his reputation, his businesses, and possibly his freedom.
Across the city, Victoria sat in a quiet hotel suite with Nathan and the forensic accountant.
She wore jeans, a plain sweater, and no jewelry.
Her wedding ring rested in an envelope on the table.
“Do you regret sending the documents?” Nathan asked.
Victoria considered the question.
“No.”
“You understand that Alexander may retaliate.”
“I understand that he already did. He just thought I would never notice.”
The accountant closed his laptop.
“We've confirmed the transfers. Several are connected to Richard Cole. Others appear to have been authorized using credentials associated with your foundation.”
“Can we establish who used them?”
“Not yet. We need the original access logs.”
Nathan nodded.
“Then we continue through legal channels.”
Victoria looked out at the city lights.
She had not planned to destroy her husband.
She had planned to stop him from destroying her.
But as Alexander's calls began filling her phone, she realized that the most dangerous part of her plan had not yet begun.
Because the final document in the folder contained a name she had not expected to see.
May you like
Her own.
And a transfer scheduled for the following morning.
