Chapter 8: The Bride Who Refused to Disappear
The detective's words seemed to hang in the air.
Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
My name.
Richard's account.
Vanessa's involvement.
I looked at Daniel.
He had heard every word.
“Emma,” he whispered.
I couldn't answer.
Detective Harris continued.
“The transfer was flagged before completion. We are investigating whether the account was opened using fraudulent identification.””
“Was the money mine?””
“No. The funds appear to have originated from a company account connected to Northbridge.””
I closed my eyes.
“Then Richard stole it.””
“We're not making that conclusion yet. But we have reason to believe the transaction was unauthorized.””
“Can you stop him?””
“We've secured the account temporarily. We need your cooperation.””
“Tell me what you need.””
“First, preserve all messages and documents. Second, do not contact Mr. Hale or attempt to access company systems.””
I looked at the laptop.
“I understand.””
“And Ms. Collins?””
“Yes?””
“Do not assume that everyone involved has been identified.””
The call ended.
I stared at my phone.
Ryan spoke first.
“Did he say Vanessa was being questioned?””
“Yes.””
“Good.””
Daniel shook his head.
“Not good enough.””
He walked toward the window.
“Someone used your identity to open an account, moved company funds, and tried to make it look like you were responsible.””
I joined him.
“Daniel, I think Richard has been doing this for longer than we realize.””
He looked at me.
“I agree.””
My phone buzzed.
A message from Julia.
*Emma, I have the original payment records. Richard didn't transfer the money directly. He used three intermediary accounts.*
I typed:
Send everything to Detective Harris.
She replied:
Already did.
Then another message arrived.
*But you need to know something about Vanessa.*
I stared at the screen.
What?
Julia's response took several seconds.
*She wasn't just paid to help Richard. She was promised a share of the money.*
I felt sick.
“How much?”” I whispered.
Daniel turned.
“What?””
I showed him.
He read the message.
Then shook his head.
“She's been working with him for months.””
Ryan sat down.
“Twenty-five thousand dollars wasn't enough?””
I looked at the photograph of the hospital room.
Vanessa's sister.
The woman Richard had used to manipulate her.
I couldn't stop thinking about it.
“Maybe she needed the money,” I said quietly.
Ryan looked at me.
“Emma.””
“I know.””
“No. You don't have to defend her.””
“I'm not defending her.””
I stared at the photograph.
“I'm trying to understand how someone I loved could become this person.””
Daniel took my hand.
“Sometimes understanding why someone did something doesn't make what they did acceptable.””
I looked at him.
He was right.
My phone rang.
This time, it was Detective Harris.
“Ms. Collins, we've spoken with Vanessa Reed.””
“What did she say?””
“She claims Mr. Hale arranged the financial transfers without her knowledge.””
I frowned.
“That's not true.””
“She also claims she was acting under pressure.””
“Pressure from whom?””
“Mr. Hale.””
I looked at Daniel.
“Did she admit taking my identity documents?””
“She admitted having access to your personal paperwork. She says she was asked to photograph it for hotel administration.””
I closed my eyes.
“That was a lie.””
“Do you have evidence?””
“Yes. Messages about the wedding booking.””
“Please preserve them.””
“Has Richard been questioned?””
“Not yet.””
I frowned.
“Why not?””
“We attempted to contact him. He isn't answering.””
I looked at Ryan.
“Where is he?””
“We don't know.””
My stomach tightened.
Then Detective Harris added:
“There is another issue. Vanessa has requested to speak with you.””
I didn't respond immediately.
“Why?””
“She says she has information that could help us locate Mr. Hale.””
I looked at Daniel.
He shook his head slightly.
I understood.
Vanessa had lied too many times.
But if she knew where Richard was going, I couldn't ignore it.
“Tell her I'll speak with her.””
“Are you certain?””
“Yes. But I want the conversation recorded.””
“We can arrange that.””
The call ended.
At 9:05 a.m., Ryan received a call from the venue manager.
The ceremony was ready.
The guests had begun arriving.
But the atmosphere had changed.
Several relatives had received Richard's message about the alleged investigation.
My aunt had called three times.
My cousin had sent a text asking whether the wedding was canceled.
A few guests were apparently discussing the possibility that Daniel and I had been involved in a financial scandal.
I looked at the clock.
Our ceremony was scheduled for eleven.
Less than two hours.
I turned to Daniel.
“Do you still want to marry me?””
He stared at me.
Then he walked over, took both my hands, and said:
“Emma, I would marry you in this conference room, in a parking lot, or on the side of the road if that's what it took.””
My eyes filled.
“Even with all this happening?””
“Especially now.””
He leaned forward and kissed my forehead.
“I didn't fall in love with your wedding plans. I fell in love with you.””
I held him tightly.
For the first time that morning, I felt like I could breathe.
Then Ryan cleared his throat.
“I hate to interrupt this beautiful moment, but we have a problem.””
I turned.
“What?””
He held up his phone.
A photograph had been posted in the wedding guest group.
It showed me standing beside Daniel outside the conference room.
The caption read:
*Apparently, the bride has been involved in a major financial investigation.*
I frowned.
“Who posted that?””
Ryan checked.
“Unknown number.””
Another message appeared.
*Ask Emma where the missing Northbridge money went.*
Then a third.
*Maybe the groom should reconsider before signing anything.*
Daniel took the phone.
“Someone is deliberately trying to humiliate you.””
I nodded.
“Richard.””
“Probably.””
I looked toward the door.
“Then let's stop letting him write the story.””
I called the wedding coordinator.
“Please gather everyone in the ballroom.””
“Everyone?””
“Yes.””
“Emma, are you sure?””
“Absolutely.””
“What should I tell them?””
“Tell them the wedding is going ahead.””
I ended the call.
Daniel studied me.
“What are you planning?””
“To tell the truth.””
At 9:32, I stood in the bridal preparation room while my cousin helped repair the stain on my dress.
The coffee mark had been removed.
The fabric looked perfect.
My veil was steamed.
My shoes were ready.
I looked at myself in the mirror.
For the first time since 2:13 a.m., I recognized the woman looking back.
She was exhausted.
She was frightened.
But she wasn't defeated.
My cousin, Olivia, fastened the final button.
“Emma?””
“Yes?””
“Are you really going to do this?””
I smiled faintly.
“I'm getting married.””
She hugged me.
“Then let's make sure you look beautiful.””
At 10:05, Detective Harris arrived.
He wore a dark suit and carried a small recording device.
“Ms. Collins, Vanessa is downstairs.””
I looked at him.
“Can I speak with her now?””
“Yes. But I recommend keeping the meeting brief.””
Ryan stood beside me.
Daniel offered to stay.
I shook my head.
“I need to hear what she has to say.””
We entered a private room.
Vanessa sat at the table.
She looked different.
Her makeup was smudged, her hair was untidy, and her eyes were swollen.
When she saw me, she stood.
“Emma.””
I didn't move.
“Sit down.””
She sat.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then Vanessa looked at my dress.
“You're still getting married?””
“Yes.””
She gave a small, bitter laugh.
“After everything?””
I stared at her.
“Especially after everything.””
Her eyes filled.
“I never thought it would go this far.””
I sat opposite her.
“You took my rings.””
“I know.””
“You tried to ruin my dress.””
“I know.””
“You lied about me to Daniel.””
“I know.””
“You used my identity to open a bank account.””
She looked down.
“Richard told me it was temporary.””
I felt my jaw tighten.
“You keep saying Richard told you things. At what point did you decide to think for yourself?””
She didn't answer.
I continued.
“You had my trust. You had my home. You had access to my personal information. You knew everything about my life.””
“I know.””
“And you used every bit of it.””
Vanessa wiped her eyes.
“I was desperate.””
“For money?””
She nodded.
“Richard told me he'd help my sister. He said he'd pay the hospital bills.””
I looked at her.
“Did he?””
“Yes.””
“How much?””
“Thirty thousand.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“And the rest?””
She hesitated.
“Twenty-five thousand for the wedding arrangement. Another amount if I could get Daniel to believe you were involved in the Northbridge issue.””
I stared at her.
“How much?””
“Fifty thousand.””
I looked toward Detective Harris.
He was recording everything.
“Did Richard promise you my job?””
“Yes.””
“Did he promise you Daniel?””
Vanessa's expression changed.
“I thought I could make him understand.””
“Understand what?””
“That I loved him.””
I stared at her.
“You didn't love him. You wanted him because he chose me.””
Her eyes filled.
“You don't know that.””
“I know you spent months trying to make him doubt me.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“I was going to tell him everything after the wedding.””
“What everything?””
“That Richard was planning to use you.””
I laughed once.
“You were part of the plan.””
“I was trying to get out.””
“When?””
“Last night.””
I stared at her.
“After you were caught?””
She looked down.
“Yes.””
I leaned forward.
“Vanessa, tell me where Richard is.””
She looked toward Detective Harris.
Then back at me.
“He's going to the Northbridge site.””
“Why?””
“He has a meeting with the investors.””
“When?””
“Eleven-thirty.””
My stomach tightened.
The same time as my wedding ceremony.
“What does he intend to do?””
Vanessa swallowed.
“He's planning to transfer the remaining project funds before the audit begins.””
Daniel had entered the room without my noticing.
He stepped forward.
“Which account?””
Vanessa looked at him.
“Meridian Advisory.””
“That's not possible. The account has been frozen.””
She shook her head.
“Not the original account.””
I frowned.
“What do you mean?””
Vanessa looked at me.
“Richard created another account.””
Detective Harris leaned forward.
“Where?””
“Under a different company name.””
“What company?””
Vanessa hesitated.
Then she whispered:
“Collins Project Solutions.””
I felt the blood drain from my face.
My name.
My name had been used again.
“Does that company exist?”” Daniel asked.
Vanessa nodded.
“It was registered three months ago.””
“Who owns it?””
Vanessa looked directly at me.
“On paper?””
She swallowed.
“Emma Collins.””
I couldn't speak.
Richard hadn't just been planning to frame me for a financial transfer.
He'd created an entire company in my name.
A company that could receive stolen money.
A company that could make me appear responsible for every missing payment.
Detective Harris stood.
“Where is the account registered?””
Vanessa gave him the information.
He immediately made a call.
I looked at her.
“Why are you telling us this now?””
She lowered her head.
“Because Richard promised he'd protect me.””
“And?””
“He told me this morning that if the investigation reached him, he'd make sure I took the blame.””
I stared at her.
“So now you're afraid.””
“Yes.””
I stood.
“Good.””
Vanessa looked up.
“Emma, please.””
I paused.
She reached for my hand.
I pulled away.
“Don't.””
Her voice broke.
“Can we ever be friends again?””
I stared at the woman who had once been my sister in every way that mattered.
Then I answered honestly.
“No.””
Her face crumpled.
I turned toward the door.
Before leaving, I heard her whisper:
“Emma, there's one more thing.””
I stopped.
“What?””
She swallowed.
“Richard didn't choose your wedding date by accident.””
I turned around.
“What are you talking about?””
“Your wedding is on the same day as the Northbridge funding release.””
I stared at her.
She continued.
“He wanted you distracted while the final payments were processed.””
I felt cold.
“Why?””
“Because the person who was supposed to approve the release was you.””
I stared at her.
Then I remembered.
Three weeks earlier, Richard had asked me to sign a series of project authorization forms before my leave.
I'd refused because the financial figures hadn't matched the audit report.
He'd smiled and said we'd discuss it after the wedding.
Now I understood.
He hadn't wanted me to approve the documents.
He'd wanted to forge my approval.
I looked at Detective Harris.
“You need to stop that transfer.””
He nodded.
“We're already contacting the relevant financial institutions.””
Daniel stepped beside me.
“And I want our legal team involved immediately.””
We left the room.
At 10:38, my phone rang.
James, Daniel's finance director.
Daniel answered.
“What's happening?””
He listened.
Then his face changed.
“Are you certain?””
A pause.
“Freeze everything.””
He ended the call.
I looked at him.
“What?””
He stared at me.
“Someone just attempted to release the Northbridge funds.””
“Who?””
“An authorization was submitted using your credentials.””
My stomach dropped.
“Did it go through?””
Daniel shook his head.
“No. But there's something worse.””
“What?””
He looked at me.
“The authorization included a digital certificate.””
I frowned.
“What does that mean?””
“It means whoever submitted it had access to a security device connected to your identity.””
I felt my hands go cold.
“Richard doesn't have that.””
Daniel looked at me.
“Apparently, someone does.””
My phone buzzed.
A message from Olivia.
*Emma, I found something in your bridal bag. You need to see it immediately.*
A photograph followed.
It showed a small black USB device.
May you like
And beneath it was a handwritten note.
*The original files are here. Don't trust anyone at the venue.*
