CHAPTER 4 – The Mistress With a Dead Woman’s Secret
Jason turned slowly.
“What does he mean, Vanessa?”
Vanessa’s lips trembled, but she forced a laugh.
“He’s a child. He’s confused.”
The boy shook his head.
“I remember her perfume.”
Everyone froze.
“She came to our old house before Mom disappeared.”
Vanessa’s face turned white.
Emily stood protectively in front of the boy.
The lawyer pulled out one final document.
“Sophia was investigating a woman hired to destroy Jason’s first family.”
Jason looked sick.
“No…”
The lawyer placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Vanessa six years younger, standing outside Sophia’s house.
Same handbag.
Same necklace.
Same cold smile.
Vanessa whispered, “Jason, listen to me…”
But Jason had already stepped away from her.
Emily looked at him with tears in her eyes.
“You didn’t just betray me.”
“You brought the woman who destroyed your son into my home.”
Vanessa suddenly snapped.
“You think I did all this for love?”
She laughed bitterly.
“Jason was never the prize.”
Then she turned to Emily.
“You were.”
Emily froze.
Vanessa smiled through her tears.
“Your father’s company, your inheritance, your name…”
“I needed Jason to divorce you before midnight.”
Jason looked toward the clock.
11:47 PM.
Thirteen minutes left.
The lawyer’s voice turned sharp.
“If Emily signs the divorce tonight, her shares transfer to Jason.”
“And if Jason marries Vanessa…”
Vanessa completes the takeover.”
Emily slowly looked at the broken wedding photo in her hands.
Then she did something nobody expected.
She smiled.
“Midnight?”
“Oh, Vanessa…”
“You should have read the second clause.”
The penthouse doors opened.
Two police officers walked in.
Behind them stood Emily’s father.
Alive.
A man Vanessa had believed was dead for three years.
And Emily whispered,
May you like
“You didn’t come here to ruin my life.”
“You walked straight into my trap.”
