Chapter 8: The Money Hidden Behind Her Back
The following morning, Tessa arrived at her Harbor East restaurant before sunrise.
The dining room was empty.
Chairs were still turned upside down on the tables, and the kitchen lights illuminated rows of stainless-steel counters.
She liked arriving early.
Before the customers came.
Before the staff began asking questions.
Before the world demanded that she be someone else's solution.
She poured herself a cup of coffee and opened her laptop.
A message from Marcus was waiting.
*We received confirmation that the witness signature is consistent with Bianca's verified signature. However, we still need to establish whether she understood the document she signed.*
Tessa read it twice.
Then she called him.
"Marcus, does this mean Bianca knew?""
"Not necessarily.""
"Her signature is real.""
"That establishes that she signed the witness section. It doesn't establish what she knew about the underlying transaction.""
Tessa leaned against the counter.
"She told me last night she was only reviewing Curtis's new loan.""
"She may have been telling the truth.""
"But she witnessed something she didn't understand.""
"That's possible.""
Tessa looked toward the kitchen.
One of her young cooks was preparing the breakfast service.
She didn't want to spend another day thinking about Curtis.
But the documents were no longer just about their failed marriage.
They threatened the businesses she had built.
"Marcus, I want the complete bank records.""
"I've requested them.""
"And I want to know where the money went after the withdrawals.""
There was a pause.
"There's something you should know.""
"What?""
"The lender found an account associated with the old restaurant's financing. It was opened shortly before the business closed.""
"Whose account?""
"Curtis's.""
Tessa closed her eyes.
"How much?""
"We haven't confirmed the current balance. But the account received several transfers from the old operating account.""
"Was that account disclosed during the bankruptcy?""
"No.""
Tessa looked down at the counter.
"Then where did the money go?""
"We're trying to trace it.""
She ended the call.
At eight-thirty, Lionel entered the office holding a delivery invoice.
"Chef, the seafood supplier wants confirmation for next week.""
Tessa signed the document.
"Approve the regular order. But don't increase quantities until we see the weekend reservations.""
"Got it.""
Lionel hesitated.
"There's something else.""
"What?""
"Someone came by asking for you.""
Tessa looked up.
"Who?""
"A woman. She said her name was Bianca Reynolds.""
Tessa slowly put down her pen.
"Where is she?""
"Waiting outside.""
Tessa glanced at the clock.
"Send her in.""
A minute later, Bianca walked into the office.
She wasn't wearing the emerald dress from the previous evening.
Instead, she wore dark trousers, a cream blouse, and a long coat.
Her eyes were tired.
She held a brown envelope against her chest.
"Good morning," Tessa said.
Bianca looked around.
The office was modest.
A framed photograph showed Tessa standing with her three restaurant managers at the opening of the third location.
Another showed the original Harbor East team celebrating their first anniversary.
Nothing about the room looked extravagant.
But everything was organized.
Every invoice had a folder.
Every supplier agreement had a date.
A whiteboard listed staffing schedules and upcoming deliveries.
Bianca looked at the photograph.
"You really built all of this.""
Tessa nodded.
"One step at a time.""
Bianca sat down.
"I owe you an apology.""
Tessa remained standing for a moment.
"About what?""
"About the way I spoke to you last night. About what Curtis said. I should never have smiled while he was humiliating you.""
Tessa studied her.
"You don't owe me an apology for Curtis's behavior.""
"I know. But I participated in it.""
Tessa pulled out the chair opposite her.
"Why are you here, Bianca?""
Bianca opened the envelope.
Inside were photocopies of several documents.
"I found these in Curtis's office.""
Tessa recognized the first one immediately.
The property security agreement.
The second was a bank transfer confirmation.
The third showed an account number.
"Where did you get these?""
"They were in a folder marked OLD RESTAURANT — CLOSED.""
Tessa looked up.
"Did Curtis know you had them?""
"No.""
Bianca pushed the papers toward her.
"I also found something else.""
She removed a handwritten note.
It contained several figures and dates.
Tessa read the first line.
Then the second.
Her fingers went cold.
The account listed on the page had received multiple transfers from the old restaurant.
The total was substantially higher than the amount documented in the original audit.
"Where did this come from?"" Tessa asked.
"Inside the same folder.""
"Did you photograph everything?""
"Yes.""
Bianca took out her phone and showed her several images.
One included a bank statement.
Another showed an email from a private lender.
The final image was a message between Curtis and someone whose name appeared as *Darnell*.
Tessa read the visible portion.
The money needs to stay untouched until the new location opens. Once the loan clears, we can move everything.
She looked at Bianca.
"Who is Darnell?""
"Curtis's former business associate.""
"Do you know what this money was for?""
Bianca shook her head.
"No. But I think the account is still active.""
Tessa leaned back.
"Why are you giving me this?""
"Because I found something with my name on it.""
Bianca pulled out another document.
It was a copy of the witness declaration.
Beneath her signature was a handwritten statement.
*I confirm that Tessa Harris signed this agreement voluntarily in my presence.*
Bianca's eyes filled.
"I never saw Tessa sign anything.""
Tessa looked at her.
"Then why did you sign it?""
Bianca lowered her head.
"Curtis told me it was a confirmation that the equipment had been transferred. I trusted him.""
"Did you read the document?""
"Not carefully enough.""
"Bianca...""
"I know.""
Bianca wiped her eyes.
"I was twenty-seven. Curtis was older. He had already convinced me that he was a successful businessman who had been betrayed by his first wife.""
Tessa remained quiet.
Bianca continued.
"He told me you were difficult. That you wanted to control everything. That the divorce had left him with debts that weren't his fault.""
Tessa looked at the papers.
"And you believed him.""
"Yes.""
Bianca's voice broke.
"I thought I was helping him rebuild his life. I didn't realize I was helping him put your name on a debt.""
Tessa slowly closed the folder.
"Did you tell Marcus?""
"Not yet. I wanted to speak with you first.""
"Why?""
"Because I didn't want you thinking I was trying to protect myself by blaming Curtis.""
Tessa studied her for several seconds.
Then she spoke.
"Bianca, I don't need you to prove you're a good person. I need you to tell the truth.""
Bianca nodded.
"I will.""
A knock sounded at the office door.
Lionel stepped inside.
"Chef, I'm sorry to interrupt. There's someone at the front asking for you.""
"Who?""
Lionel hesitated.
"Mr. Harris.""
Bianca went pale.
Tessa looked toward the door.
"Did he say why he's here?""
"He says he wants to talk about the documents.""
Tessa stood.
"Tell him I'm busy.""
Lionel nodded.
But before he could leave, Curtis's voice came from the hallway.
"Then I'll wait.""
A moment later, he appeared in the doorway.
His eyes moved from Tessa to Bianca.
Then to the papers on the desk.
His face changed.
"What are you doing here?"" he demanded.
Bianca stood.
"Giving Tessa the truth.""
Curtis stepped inside.
"You went through my office?""
"I found documents that involve my signature.""
"Those are private business records.""
"Not when they contain my name.""
He looked at Tessa.
"You've got what you wanted. Now stay out of my life.""
Tessa placed her hand on the folder.
"Then stop putting my name on your debts.""
Curtis's expression hardened.
"You don't understand what you're dealing with.""
Tessa looked him directly in the eyes.
"Then explain it.""
He glanced at Bianca.
For the first time, he seemed genuinely afraid of what she might say next.
Then his phone rang.
He answered without looking at the screen.
A man's voice came through loudly enough for both women to hear.
"Curtis, we have a problem. Darnell is threatening to expose the account unless you pay him today.""
Curtis closed his eyes.
Tessa stared at him.
Bianca slowly turned toward her former fiancé.
May you like
And the man on the phone added one final sentence.
"Tell them where the remaining eighty-two thousand went.""
