Chapter 4 - The First Lie Falls
Adrian drove to Savannah’s apartment himself.
He ignored seventeen calls from Ethan.
He ignored his attorney.
He ignored his mother.
Only one thought mattered.
The transfers.
Two years earlier, Adrian had begun moving discretionary corporate funds through shell consulting agreements.
At first, the amounts were small.
Then bigger.
He told himself every CEO did it.
Private travel.
Gifts.
Political donations.
A condo held through another company.
Nobody questioned the transactions because Adrian Vale had inherited the family name and controlled the board.
Savannah knew about several accounts.
He had trusted her because she admired him.
At least, that was what he believed.
When Adrian reached her building, Savannah was waiting inside.
She looked frightened.
Perfectly frightened.
“What did you tell them?”
Adrian demanded.
“Nothing.”
“Did they enter?”
“No.”
“Did they show a warrant?”
“No.”
Adrian grabbed her shoulders.
“Listen to me.”
Savannah stared at him.
“You never saw the statements.”
She nodded.
“You never heard me discuss transfers.”
Another nod.
“Reed Capital was your father’s company.”
Tears appeared in Savannah’s eyes.
“You told me you were clearing his name.”
“I was.”
“No.”
Her voice cracked.
“You used his old accounts because everyone already believed he was corrupt.”
Adrian released her.
“What are you talking about?”
Savannah backed away.
“My father died with people calling him a thief.”
“He was a thief.”
Savannah’s expression became still.
It was the first time Adrian noticed how quickly her fear disappeared.
“What did you say?”
“Your father stole from Vale.”
Savannah slowly wiped away her tears.
“My father kept copies.”
Adrian stared at her.
Savannah walked toward the kitchen counter.
“You should leave.”
“Savannah.”
“I said leave.”
Adrian stepped closer.
“What is happening?”
Her phone buzzed.
She glanced down.
A message.
SAFE?
Savannah typed one word.
YES.
Adrian saw the name above the conversation.
Claire.
The room seemed to tilt.
He snatched Savannah’s wrist.
“You’re talking to my wife?”
Savannah ripped her hand free.
“She became my friend long before you made me your mistress.”
Adrian’s mouth opened.
Savannah reached beneath her dress and removed a tiny microphone clipped near her collar.
She placed it gently on the counter.
Adrian looked at it.
Then at her stomach.
Savannah followed his eyes.
Slowly, deliberately, she lifted the hem of her sweater.
There was no pregnancy.
Only a carefully fitted silicone prosthetic.
Adrian stumbled backward.
Savannah’s voice became ice cold.
“There is no baby.”
His face emptied.
May you like
She continued.
“And almost every conversation we’ve had for the last seven months was recorded.”
