Chapter 7: The Name on the Note
Richard read Emily's message again.
Then he looked directly at Victoria.
“What do you know about the note?””
Victoria shook her head.
“Nothing.””
Thomas stepped between them.
“Victoria, whatever you've been hiding, this is the time to tell the truth.””
She looked at her husband with desperate eyes.
“Please. Not here.””
Richard's expression hardened.
“Why? Because there are witnesses?””
Victoria didn't answer.
Richard turned toward Martin.
“Take me upstairs.””
Martin nodded and led him toward the elevators.
Thomas followed, leaving Victoria standing between the two security guards.
As the elevator doors closed, Richard looked at his phone.
Emily had sent another message.
*EMILY: Dad, I think you should see this yourself.*
He typed back.
*RICHARD: I'm coming, sweetheart. Don't touch anything.*
Upstairs, Emily was sitting on the edge of the presidential suite's enormous bed.
Lily slept peacefully in the white crib beside the window.
A welcome basket sat on the coffee table. It contained baby lotion, a soft blanket, a small stuffed rabbit, and a handwritten card.
Emily had already removed the card from its envelope.
When Richard entered, she stood.
“Dad.””
He immediately noticed that her eyes were red.
“Are you all right?””
She nodded.
“I'm okay. I just don't understand.””
Richard embraced her carefully.
“Show me.””
Emily handed him the card.
It was written on thick cream-colored stationery.
*WELCOME TO THE GRAND BELLMONT, EMILY.*
Below that, someone had written:
*Some families should stay where they belong. Enjoy your visit while it lasts.*
There was no signature.
But in the lower corner, someone had drawn a small symbol.
A silver key surrounded by a circle.
Richard stared at it.
Martin leaned over his shoulder.
“Sir?””
Richard didn't respond.
He recognized the symbol.
It belonged to the Carter Family Foundation.
A foundation established by Richard's late wife, Margaret, nearly twenty years earlier.
Emily noticed his expression.
“Dad, what's wrong?””
Richard slowly sat down.
“Where did you find this?””
“In the welcome basket. I thought it was just a greeting card, but then I read the message.””
He looked at her.
“Did anyone enter this room after you arrived?””
“No. The concierge brought me up, then the nursery attendant delivered Lily's things.””
Richard turned toward Martin.
“Who prepared the basket?””
Martin checked his tablet.
“According to the service record, it was prepared by the VIP guest-relations department.””
“Who signed it?””
Martin scrolled.
Then his face changed.
“Mrs. Hayes.””
Richard stared at him.
“Victoria?””
“Yes, sir.””
Emily looked between them.
“Why would she put something like that in my room?””
Richard didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he studied the little silver symbol.
His wife had designed it.
Only a handful of people knew its significance.
And Victoria was not supposed to be one of them.
“Emily,” he said gently, “do you remember when I told you your mother created the family foundation?””
Emily nodded.
“Of course.””
“Your mother wanted the foundation to support children and families who needed help. She also established a private scholarship program in your name.””
Emily looked confused.
“My name?””
Richard nodded.
“Your mother wanted you to continue her work someday.””
Emily's eyes filled.
“I never knew that.””
“I know. I wanted to tell you when you were ready.””
He looked again at the note.
“But someone seems determined to keep you away from something.””
Martin cleared his throat.
“Sir, there's another issue. The foundation's annual benefit is scheduled for tomorrow evening. Mrs. Hayes is listed as one of the event sponsors.””
Richard's eyes narrowed.
“Why?””
“She made a substantial donation last year. Her name is also attached to a committee overseeing the scholarship awards.””
Emily looked toward the sleeping baby.
“Dad, is that why she hates me?””
Richard took a long breath.
“I don't know yet.””
He turned toward Martin.
“Find every document connected to the foundation and Victoria's involvement. Especially anything signed by my late wife.””
Martin nodded.
Richard then looked at Emily.
“I'm going downstairs. I want you to stay here with Lily. I'll have security stationed outside.””
Emily caught his hand.
“Dad?””
“Yes?””
“Don't let her make this about money. She hit me because she thought she could.””
Richard's expression softened.
“You're right.””
He kissed her forehead.
“And she will answer for that.””
Downstairs, Thomas was pacing beside the reception desk.
Victoria sat on a sofa, her handbag clutched tightly against her chest.
When Richard returned, Thomas immediately approached him.
“What did Emily find?””
Richard held up the card.
“Your wife placed this in my daughter's welcome basket.””
Thomas read the message.
His face tightened.
“Victoria, what is this?””
She looked at the card.
Then she looked away.
Richard placed it on the counter.
“Tell us why you used the foundation symbol.””
Victoria stood.
“Because I was involved in the foundation events.””
“That's not an answer.””
“I helped organize the charity dinners. I had access to the stationery.””
Richard's eyes narrowed.
“Who gave you access to the original designs?””
Victoria hesitated.
Then she said something that made Thomas turn pale.
“Margaret did.””
Richard went completely still.
“My wife?””
Victoria nodded.
“She trusted me.””
Richard stared at her.
“My wife died nine years ago.””
Victoria's expression changed.
For a moment, the confident woman in the pink dress looked almost frightened.
Then she whispered:
“Not everything she left behind belonged to you.””
Richard took a step closer.
“What exactly are you talking about?””
Victoria looked toward Thomas.
He shook his head.
“Victoria. Don't.””
But she had already opened her handbag.
She removed a small leather folder.
Inside was a document bearing Margaret Carter's signature.
Richard recognized the handwriting immediately.
He read the first line.
Then the second.
His hands tightened around the paper.
Because it appeared that his late wife had made a promise involving the foundation.
May you like
A promise that had never been fulfilled.
And Emily's name was written at the top.
