Chapter 7 - THE MAN WHO STOOD BESIDE THE GROOM
Dominic stared at Vincent Bell's initials for a long time.
Then he closed the folder.
“I want every business account connected to Vincent reviewed.”
Evelyn folded her arms.
“And I want you to remember that this is about Lily, not revenge.”
Dominic looked at her.
“You think I don't know that?”
“I think you're angry enough to forget.”
He didn't answer.
I stood beside the desk, feeling increasingly out of place.
Finally, Dominic turned toward me.
“Emily, there's something I need to ask.”
“Yes, sir?”
“Did Vincent ever visit the estate when I wasn't home?”
I thought carefully.
“He came several times to meet with Miss Whitmore.”
“When?”
“Usually weekday afternoons.”
“What did they discuss?”
“I wasn't present for their conversations.”
He nodded.
Then I remembered something.
“Once, he asked whether Lily still slept in her original bedroom.”
Dominic's expression changed.
“What did you say?”
“That she did.”
“Anything else?”
“He asked whether her room had been renovated since Caroline died.”
Evelyn looked alarmed.
“Why would he care?”
I shook my head.
“I thought he was making conversation.”
Dominic turned toward the window.
“Vincent knew Caroline's belongings were still in the house.”
He looked back.
“And he knew about the watch.”
Evelyn picked up the financial records.
“We need someone independent to examine this.”
Dominic nodded.
“I've already arranged for outside forensic accountants to preserve the records.”
He paused.
“And I've instructed my staff not to delete anything connected to the wedding.”
For once, he sounded more like a father protecting evidence than a man preparing retaliation.
That evening, Lily insisted on having dinner in the kitchen.
She said the dining room made her stomach hurt.
Dominic didn't argue.
We ate grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup at the small wooden table where the household staff usually took their meals.
Dominic removed his expensive watch before helping Lily cut her sandwich.
She noticed.
“Daddy, where's Mommy's watch?”
He smiled gently.
“It's safe.”
“Can you wear it tomorrow?”
“Would you like me to?”
She nodded.
“Mommy said it was your lucky watch.”
His eyes softened.
“Then I'll wear it.”
After dinner, Evelyn took Lily upstairs for a story.
Dominic remained at the kitchen table.
He looked at me.
“Emily, you've done more for my daughter these past two days than I can properly thank you for.”
I lowered my eyes.
“She's a wonderful little girl, sir.”
“She is.”
He paused.
“And I nearly let someone convince her otherwise.”
I hesitated.
“Mr. Moretti, I don't think Lily needs someone perfect.”
He looked up.
“She needs someone who comes when she asks.”
The words surprised both of us.
Then Dominic nodded.
“You're right.”
The next morning, he kept his promise.
He drove Lily to school himself.
He carried her backpack to the entrance and stayed until she joined Grace and Olivia.
Lily looked back twice.
Both times, he waved.
When he returned, Margaret informed him that Vincent was waiting in the study.
I happened to be arranging flowers in the hallway when their conversation began.
Vincent was a broad-shouldered man in his early fifties, with graying hair and a voice that usually sounded reassuring.
Today, he looked tired.
“Dominic, you're making a serious mistake.”
Dominic stood behind his desk.
“Sit down.”
Vincent remained standing.
“I've worked beside you for fifteen years.”
“Then you should have no difficulty answering a few questions.”
He placed the copied payment records on the desk.
Vincent glanced at them.
His face tightened.
“Where did you get these?”
“Company archives.”
“Those transactions are confidential.”
“They were paid through my company.”
Vincent rubbed his forehead.
“Dominic, there were complicated negotiations surrounding that property.”
“Explain them.”
“Victoria believed she had a legitimate claim.”
“So you paid her?”
“We paid for consultation.”
“Four hundred thousand dollars?”
Vincent looked away.
“The property had potential development value.”
Dominic pointed toward the handwritten instruction.
“Why did you need Caroline's watch?”
Vincent said nothing.
“Why did you need Lily sent to Boston?”
Vincent's expression changed.
“That wasn't my decision.”
“Your initials are on the instruction.”
“I approved logistical expenses.”
“Logistics for what?”
Vincent finally sat.
For several seconds, he studied the floor.
Then he said, “Victoria told me the original trust was invalid.”
Dominic stared.
“And you believed her?”
“She showed me evidence that Rose had concealed ownership interests from other family members.”
“What evidence?”
“Letters. Financial statements. An agreement.”
Dominic leaned forward.
“Did you verify any of it?”
Vincent hesitated.
“No.”
The admission seemed to cost him something.
He looked at Dominic.
“I thought if Victoria controlled the farmhouse, the development project could move forward. It would have benefited the company.”
“And you?”
Vincent's silence answered.
Dominic shook his head.
“You were willing to remove my daughter from her home for a land deal.”
“I never wanted Lily hurt.”
“But you helped the people who did.”
Vincent lowered his head.
“I know.”
Dominic looked away.
For years, Vincent had been the friend who attended birthdays, arranged business dinners, and stood beside him at Caroline's funeral.
Now every memory felt contaminated.
Then Vincent spoke again.
“Dominic, there's something I didn't know until last week.”
Dominic turned.
“What?”
“Victoria never intended to share the property proceeds with Vanessa.”
He frowned.
“Then why involve her?”
“Because Vanessa could get close to you.”
Vincent swallowed.
“She was the only person Victoria thought could persuade you to sign the school authorization.”
“And afterward?”
Vincent hesitated.
“Victoria planned to cut Vanessa out.”
Dominic stared.
“Does Vanessa know?”
“I don't think so.”
He looked toward the door.
“There's more.”
Dominic's expression hardened.
“Of course there is.”
Vincent reached into his jacket and removed a small envelope.
“I found this in the historical property file.”
Inside was a faded photograph of the same white farmhouse.
But this picture showed two little girls standing beside Rose.
One was Caroline.
The other looked slightly older.
Dominic frowned.
“Who is that?”
Vincent lowered his voice.
“Victoria told me Rose had only one child.”
Dominic studied the photograph.
On the back were two names.
Caroline and Anna.
He looked up.
“Who's Anna?”
Vincent shook his head.
“I don't know.”
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Then he added:
“But the original trust lists two children. And somebody has been collecting Anna's share for twenty years.”
