Chapter 2
Veronica did not run.
That would have been easier.
Instead, she slowly removed her hand from her engagement ring and looked Roman directly in the eyes.
“You think I wrote it.”
Roman folded the forged death notice once.
“Did you?”
“No.”
The answer came quickly.
Too quickly.
Helena stepped beside her.
“She had nothing to do with this.”
Roman’s gaze moved between them.
His mother defending Veronica before defending herself.
Interesting.
He placed the forged document into his bodyguard’s hand.
“Lock my office.”
Helena laughed bitterly.
“Still giving orders like nothing happened?”
Roman looked at her.
The smile faded.
“Something did happen.”
His voice stayed low.
“My three-year-old daughter learned how to polish shoes while you wore diamonds bought with my money.”
Helena’s nostrils flared.
“You want to talk about money?”
“Yes.”
Roman stepped closer.
“Let’s.”
The household accountant arrived within the hour.
Roman sat at the long dining table while Helena and Veronica remained across from him.
Adrian stood near the window, one hand against his bruised ribs.
The accountant opened the records.
For seven weeks, Roman’s main operating accounts had been controlled through emergency authority triggered by his presumed death.
Helena gained access to family household funds.
Adrian gained temporary authority over several business accounts.
And Veronica—
Roman’s eyes stopped.
Veronica had been designated beneficiary of a private holding company containing nearly eighteen million dollars.
Roman looked up.
She did not blink.
“I didn't know.”
Helena turned toward her sharply.
Roman caught it.
A small movement.
But real.
“You didn't know eighteen million dollars moved under your name?”
“No.”
Roman leaned back.
Veronica’s breathing became shallower.
The accountant continued.
Most of the money had not been withdrawn.
But almost three million dollars had been transferred through a consulting company.
Adrian’s company.
Roman looked toward him.
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
“Operational expenses.”
“For what?”
“Keeping things running.”
“For seven weeks?”
Adrian said nothing.
Roman tapped the table once.
Then twice.
No one spoke.
The accountant turned another page.
One transfer stood out.
$480,000.
Recipient:
HAVEN CHILDCARE SERVICES.
Roman frowned.
“What is that?”
Nobody answered.
The accountant looked uncomfortable.
“It appears to be a private residential placement service.”
Roman’s face went still.
“For whom?”
The accountant hesitated.
Then slid the invoice across the table.
At the top was Sophie’s name.
The placement date was scheduled for the Monday after the gala.
May you like
Roman slowly raised his eyes.
Someone had planned to send his daughter away.
