Chapter 6 - THE EMERALD THAT HID A SECRET
Celeste Harrington had always believed she deserved Dante Vale.
Their families had vacationed together.
Their fathers had conducted business together.
Their mothers had attended the same charity events.
Everyone assumed the two children would eventually marry.
Then Dante met Isabella Mercer.
A nurse.
A woman without family wealth.
A woman who laughed too loudly and wore comfortable shoes to formal events.
Celeste considered the marriage an insult.
But jealousy alone had not driven her behavior.
Her father, Edward Harrington, had promised her something.
If she helped separate Dante from Isabella, she would gain influence over the Vale estate.
And Edward would regain access to the shipping assets his companies desperately needed.
Celeste sat in her father's office overlooking Lake Michigan.
He stood by the window.
"You embarrassed yourself," he said.
Celeste crossed her arms.
"Dante embarrassed me."
"You wore his mother's necklace."
"You told me it was part of the agreement."
Edward turned.
"That doesn't mean you should have displayed it in front of two hundred people."
Celeste looked away.
"I thought Isabella would leave."
"She did."
"Then what's the problem?"
Edward's expression darkened.
"The problem is that Dante is asking questions."
He opened a drawer.
Inside was a small velvet box.
Celeste recognized it.
The emerald pendant.
Dante's mother had worn it for decades.
Celeste had returned it after the gala.
Edward examined the clasp.
"Did anyone notice this?"
Celeste frowned.
"What?"
He pressed a tiny mechanism near the back.
A hidden compartment opened.
Inside was a narrow strip of folded paper.
Celeste stared.
"What is that?"
Edward's face changed.
For the first time, she saw fear.
He unfolded the paper.
It contained a series of account numbers.
And one handwritten phrase.
HARBOR ACCOUNT – ORIGINAL BENEFICIARY RECORDS.
Edward closed his fist around the paper.
Celeste leaned forward.
"Dad?"
He looked at her.
"Where did you get this necklace?"
"From the Vale jewelry room."
"Who gave you access?"
"Your assistant arranged it."
Edward stared.
Then whispered:
"Richard."
Celeste frowned.
"What about him?"
May you like
Edward looked toward the window.
"That old fool hid the evidence in plain sight."
