Chapter 9 - Victoria Had Been Taking Money Arthur Never Told Grant AboutVictoria arrived at the hotel before noon.
She entered without greeting anyone.
Her red evening gown had been replaced by a cream designer suit.
Her anger hadn't changed.
She looked at Grant.
"You stole company records."
Grant leaned against the window.
"They have my signature on them."
"So?"
"So I didn't sign them."
Victoria's expression flickered.
Celeste saw it.
Grant did too.
"You knew."
Victoria looked toward Marcus.
"I don't discuss family business with investigators."
Grant moved closer.
"You knew."
Arthur's children had spent decades learning how to attack without raising their voices.
This was different.
Grant looked genuinely hurt.
Victoria turned away.
"Dad handles hundreds of entities."
"With my forged signature?"
"Don't be dramatic."
"How much did you get?"
Victoria froze.
Marcus rotated the laptop.
V. Whitmore Consulting.
Three years of transfers.
$6.7 million.
Grant stared at his sister.
"You got paid?"
"It's consulting income."
"For what?"
"Strategic work."
"What strategic work?"
Victoria looked at Celeste.
"This is what she wants."
Celeste remained silent.
Victoria pointed.
"She comes back, and suddenly we're tearing each other apart."
Celeste finally spoke.
"You tore my dress."
"This isn't about the dress."
"No. It started long before last night."
Victoria's face tightened.
Grant said, "Answer me."
She looked at him.
"Dad needed help moving assets."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
"You're lying."
Victoria laughed.
"You suddenly care about honesty?"
Grant stepped toward her.
"I spent twelve years thinking I was being trained to run the company."
"You were."
"No. I was being used as a signature."
Victoria's expression softened for half a second.
Celeste saw something there.
Pity.
Which meant Victoria had known more than Grant.
"How long?" he asked.
She didn't answer.
Grant's voice broke slightly.
"How long have you known?"
"Four years."
He stared.
"You knew Dad forged my name for four years?"
"I knew he used entities connected to you."
"And said nothing."
"He said it protected the company."
"From what?"
Victoria looked toward Celeste.
"The trust."
The room went still.
Celeste stepped forward.
"Arthur knew the amendment was invalid."
Victoria didn't answer.
"Victoria."
Her sister finally looked at her.
"He knew there could be a challenge."
"When?"
"After Mom died."
Celeste's heart changed rhythm.
"Mom told him?"
"No."
"Then how?"
Victoria swallowed.
"He found a letter."
"What letter?"
"I don't know."
Grant laughed bitterly.
"You always know."
Victoria snapped, "No, I don't."
For the first time, genuine fear entered her voice.
"Dad found something in Evelyn's desk after the funeral. After that, he started moving everything."
Celeste watched her carefully.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Victoria almost looked offended.
"You were gone."
"You knew where I was."
"No."
"The Navy wasn't a secret."
"Dad said you didn't want contact."
Celeste stared.
"He told you that?"
Victoria hesitated.
Arthur had told Celeste the family wanted nothing to do with her.
He had apparently told the family Celeste wanted nothing to do with them.
Simple.
Effective.
Cruel.
Grant sat slowly.
Victoria looked at Celeste's covered shoulder.
Her voice became quieter.
"Did Dad know about..."
She couldn't finish.
Celeste answered.
"No."
Victoria looked away.
"Neither did I."
"I know."
That seemed to hurt her.
Celeste didn't rescue her from it.
Marcus closed the laptop.
"What's in the letter?"
Victoria shook her head.
"I told you. I never saw it."
"Where is it now?"
"I don't know."
Grant looked at her.
"Who would?"
Victoria hesitated too long.
Celeste understood.
"Arthur's private safe."
Victoria nodded.
Grant immediately stood.
"I know the code."
Victoria looked at him.
"Dad changed it."
"When?"
"Last night."
Grant smiled without humor.
"Then he is scared."
Victoria suddenly looked toward Celeste.
"You don't understand."
"What?"
"If Dad thinks the trust can take control, he won't just fight you in court."
Celeste's expression remained calm.
May you like
Victoria stepped closer.
"He'll burn the company down before he lets you have it."
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