Chapter 5: The Message That Exposed Everything
Cynthia pulled Brielle toward the corridor.
“Delete those messages.””
Brielle stared at her.
“Mom, they're already in the group.””
“Then tell them there was a technical mistake.””
“What technical mistake?””
“Do I have to explain everything to you?””
Andre followed them.
“Don't delete anything.””
Cynthia spun around.
“This is none of your business.””
“It's my fiancée's name on that receipt.””
“And she's your future wife, not your employer!””
Alicia remained near the table, holding her handbag.
She could hear the argument clearly.
But she didn't follow them immediately.
She was looking at the cake.
The delicate sugar flowers she had spent hours making were beginning to soften under the warm reception lights.
She remembered how proud she had been when she finished decorating it.
Now she couldn't even look at it without thinking about the sign that had erased her name.
Eleanor returned a few minutes later.
She was accompanied by another relative, a middle-aged man named Richard.
“Cynthia,” Richard said, “we've just seen the messages.””
Cynthia immediately straightened.
“Everything is being handled.””
Richard looked at Alicia.
“Were you actually paid for the cakes?””
“No, sir.””
“Did you sign this receipt?””
“No.””
Richard turned toward Cynthia.
“Then why is her name written here?””
Cynthia pressed her lips together.
“I have already explained that there was a misunderstanding.””
Richard shook his head.
“I gave you three hundred dollars because you told me the baker was being paid.””
Brielle looked down.
Cynthia snapped.
“Everyone needs to calm down.””
Richard wasn't interested in calming down.
“I run a business. If someone signs a document in another person's name, I don't call that a misunderstanding.””
Cynthia's face reddened.
“Are you accusing me of something?””
“I'm asking for my money back if the arrangement is false.””
Cynthia looked toward Andre.
“Your relatives are treating me like a thief.””
Andre answered quietly.
“Then give them a reason not to.””
The words seemed to strike her.
For a moment, she simply stared at him.
Then she turned toward Alicia.
“This is your doing.””
Alicia shook her head.
“No, Cynthia. I didn't send the messages. I didn't collect the money. And I didn't write that signature.””
“You could have handled this with more respect.””
“I have been respectful.””
“You stood here and questioned me in front of everyone.””
“Because everyone was told something that wasn't true.””
Cynthia took a breath.
Then she reached for a different approach.
“Alicia, sweetheart.””
The sudden sweetness in her voice made Brielle look up.
Cynthia touched Alicia's arm.
“Let's not allow a small misunderstanding to damage the relationship between us.””
Alicia gently moved her arm away.
“What exactly are you suggesting?””
“We'll talk tomorrow. You make the cakes, and I'll personally ensure everything is settled.””
Andre frowned.
“Mom, you just said she hadn't been paid.””
“I'm offering to resolve it.””
Alicia looked at Cynthia.
“How?””
Cynthia lowered her voice.
“You know how much your work is worth. We can discuss a reasonable amount after the gathering.””
Alicia shook her head.
“No.””
Cynthia's hand dropped.
“Again?””
“Yes.””
“Do you have any idea how embarrassing this is?””
Alicia's voice remained steady.
“Do you have any idea how embarrassing it was to stand here holding a serving tray while everyone assumed I was staff?””
Cynthia looked away.
“That's different.””
“How?””
“Because this is my family's event.””
“And I made the cake for it.””
Cynthia didn't answer.
Andre finally stepped closer to Alicia.
“Let's go home.””
Cynthia immediately blocked his path.
“You're leaving?””
“Yes.””
“Your relatives are still here.””
“They can enjoy the evening.””
“And what about tomorrow?””
Andre looked at her.
“Tomorrow is not happening unless Alicia chooses to participate.””
Cynthia shook her head.
“You're letting her control you.””
“No. I'm letting her control her own work.””
Brielle suddenly laughed.
“That's ridiculous. She makes cakes. It's not like she's running a company.””
Alicia turned toward her.
“Then why does everyone keep asking me to work for free?””
Brielle opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Richard cleared his throat.
“I think everyone should see the original payment records before this goes any further.””
Cynthia immediately stiffened.
“What records?””
“The transfers. I sent mine electronically.””
Eleanor nodded.
“So did I.””
Another relative approached the group.
“I transferred mine to Cynthia's personal account.””
Brielle's eyes widened.
Cynthia looked at her daughter.
“Brielle, go get my purse.””
“Why?””
“Just do it.””
Brielle reluctantly walked toward the table.
Alicia watched her leave.
Then she noticed something unusual.
Cynthia's phone was lying beside her champagne glass.
The screen lit up.
A message preview appeared.
*From Brielle: Mom, should I delete the screenshots before Andre sees them?*
Alicia didn't touch the phone.
She simply read the words.
Then she looked at Cynthia.
“Screenshots of what?””
Cynthia snatched the phone off the table.
“Nothing.””
Andre had seen the message too.
He held out his hand.
“Mom, let me see.””
“No.””
“Why is Brielle asking whether she should delete screenshots?””
“Because she doesn't know how to mind her own business.””
Andre looked at his sister, who had just returned with the purse.
“Brielle, what screenshots?””
Brielle froze.
“Nothing important.””
“Then show me.””
Cynthia stepped between them.
“That's enough. This family has had enough humiliation tonight.””
Andre didn't move.
“Show me the screenshots.””
Brielle looked at her mother.
Cynthia's eyes warned her to stay silent.
But Brielle's expression was beginning to crack.
Finally, she pulled out her phone.
“I only saved them because I thought Mom might need proof of the arrangements.””
“What arrangements?”” Andre asked.
Brielle opened a folder.
There were several screenshots.
The first showed a message from Cynthia to Brielle, sent five days earlier.
Tell everyone Alicia is covering the cakes. Don't ask her yet. Once everyone contributes, she won't be able to back out without looking selfish.
Andre read it.
His face went completely still.
Alicia felt the room tilt around her.
The second screenshot was even worse.
Cynthia had written:
She wants to be accepted into this family. Let her prove she's willing to contribute.
Andre slowly raised his eyes.
“Mom.””
Cynthia reached for the phone.
“Give it back.””
He stepped away.
“Did you plan this?””
Cynthia's voice trembled with anger.
“I was trying to help you build a family!””
“By trapping Alicia?””
“I knew she would eventually agree!””
Alicia looked at her.
“You knew I would be pressured into saying yes.””
Cynthia turned toward her.
“You're making it sound terrible.””
Andre shook his head.
“No. It is terrible.””
But there was one more screenshot.
Brielle hesitated before opening it.
“There's another message.””
Cynthia's expression changed instantly.
“Brielle, don't.””
Andre looked at his sister.
“Show me.””
Brielle swallowed.
Then she turned the screen around.
The message had been sent by Cynthia to someone whose contact name was simply *Derek*.
May you like
And its first line made Andre's blood run cold.
Once Andre marries her, we can finally get access to the money she keeps in her bakery account.
