Chapter 6: The Daughter Vanessa Underestimated
Maya pressed play inside the locked silver car.
Vanessa’s voice filled the cabin.
“Once the transfer clears, burn the dress.
Make sure the silver rose stays inside it.”
Chloe’s recorded voice shook.
“Why can’t you do it?”
“Because Daniel forgives you.
He won’t forgive me.”
Maya stopped the recording.
Chloe sat in the back seat, twisting her fingers together.
“You knew exactly what you were destroying.”
“I knew she wanted the silver rose gone.
I didn’t know it held proof.”
“You still did it.”
“I hated you enough not to ask.”
Daniel turned in the passenger seat.
“Why?”
Chloe met his eyes in the mirror.
“Because every time Mom wanted something, she said Maya already had more.
Maya had the trust.
Maya had Elena’s car.
Maya had your guilt.”
“My guilt is not Maya’s fault.”
“I know that now.”
Maya looked out the window.
“You humiliated me because your mother promised you my car.”
“Yes.”
“And at the bank you lied again.”
Vanessa appeared at the far end of the parking lot, scanning the rows of cars.
Chloe ducked below the window.
“I lied because she controls my tuition account.
She said she’d throw me out.”
“You’re eighteen,” Daniel said.
“You can come home with us.”
“It isn’t my home.
It’s yours and Maya’s.
Mom reminds me every time you disagree with her.”
Maya turned around.
“Why give me the recording?”
Chloe wiped her cheek with her wrist.
“Because she looked me in the eye and blamed me for everything.
She’ll do it again.”
A fist struck the driver’s window.
“Chloe!” Vanessa shouted.
“Get out of that car!”
Daniel locked the doors.
Vanessa held up her phone.
“I’m calling my attorney.”
“Call him,” Maya said through the glass.
“You think one recording saves you?
Ask Chloe how she obtained it.”
Chloe sat upright.
“You left your tablet recording when you called Mr.
Ellis.
I copied the file.”
Vanessa’s face changed.
“You invaded my privacy.”
“You used me.”
“I gave you a life Daniel never intended to give you.”
Daniel opened the door and stepped out.
“Stay away from both girls.”
“Both?” Vanessa laughed.
“Now she is your daughter?
Ten minutes ago, you were ready to let her take the blame.”
Chloe opened her door.
“That’s not true.”
“Come with me now, or I cancel every card you have.”
“Do it.”
“I will remove you from my will.”
“Do it.”
Vanessa lowered her voice.
“I will tell everyone you planned the transfer.”
Chloe faltered.
Maya got out and stood beside her.
“Then she’ll show them the recording.”
Vanessa pointed at Maya.
“You have no idea what your mother hid.
Elena used that trust to cover her own mistakes.”
“What mistakes?”
“Ask your father why the charity was investigated.”
Daniel stepped between them.
“The investigation found nothing against Elena.”
“Because evidence disappeared.”
Maya held up the phone.
“Was that what the memory card contained?”
Vanessa said nothing.
Claire hurried through the bank doors.
“Maya, give me the phone.”
Vanessa’s attorney followed her.
“Do not distribute that recording.”
Claire connected the phone to her laptop on the hood of the car.
A list of audio files appeared.
“There are twelve recordings,” she said.
Chloe leaned over the screen.
“I copied the whole folder.”
Claire opened one marked ELLIS.
Vanessa’s voice played again.
“Use Daniel’s signature from the insurance form.
Malcolm will keep the camera unavailable.
Once Maya’s account moves, we’ll close Rosebridge.”
Malcolm’s voice followed.
“I want my share before the girl graduates.”
Claire’s hands froze above the keyboard.
Daniel looked toward the bank.
“Your regional director is involved.”
“And he has the memory card,” Claire said.
The bank doors opened again.
Malcolm came out carrying his briefcase.
When he saw Claire’s laptop, he turned toward the parking garage.
Vanessa shouted, “Malcolm, take the card and go!”
He began to run.
Claire grabbed her phone.
May you like
“Security, lock the north garage exit.”
The metal barrier started dropping, but Malcolm’s car was already moving toward it.
