The drive home was quiet.
Sophia fell asleep before we reached the main road.
Her little head rested against the window.
I kept one hand on the steering wheel and the other near her seat.
The rain had become heavier.
Every traffic light reflected across the wet pavement.
I thought about the woman in the cream dress.
I thought about the little boy.
Most of all, I thought about Sophia asking whether she had done something wrong.
That question stayed with me.
When we arrived home, I carried her upstairs.
She woke briefly when I placed her in bed.
"Did Daddy like my present?"
I brushed her hair away from her forehead.
"He saw it, sweetheart."
"Will he wear it tomorrow?"
I hesitated.
"We'll see."
She closed her eyes.
I stayed beside her until her breathing became steady.
Then I went downstairs.
My phone was waiting on the kitchen counter.
Three missed calls from Victor.
I called him back.
"She's asleep?"
"Yes."
"Good."
I sat at the kitchen table.
"Tell me what happened."
Victor took a breath.
"The board received the initial legal notice. The review is being handled through the proper channels."
"What did they find?"
"Several funding arrangements were connected to Sterling-affiliated investment entities."
I looked at the empty chair across from me.
"How many?"
"Enough to make the company dependent on those arrangements."
I remembered Dominic telling me that his business had finally become financially independent.
He had celebrated that evening with a bottle of expensive champagne.
He had told me he had proven everyone wrong.
Apparently, he had left out an important detail.
"Did the board know about our family?"
"Some members knew the names of the investment groups. They didn't necessarily know the family connections."
"And Dominic?"
"He's been informed that the original agreements are being examined."
I rubbed my forehead.
"Is he blaming me?"
Victor gave a quiet laugh.
"I imagine he will."
That sounded like Dominic.
When something went wrong, he always searched for someone responsible.
Usually, he found a way to make it my fault.
"What happens next?"
"The board will review the agreements, the company's obligations, and the information provided to investors."
"Can they remove him?"
"That's a decision for the board and the company's governing documents. We aren't going to pretend otherwise."
I appreciated that answer.
I wanted accountability.
I didn't want my family using its influence to manufacture an outcome.
Victor continued.
"There are also questions about how the company's financial strength was presented."
I sat straighter.
"Daniel mentioned that."
"Who?"
"A finance employee I met downstairs. He said the internal reports didn't always match the original agreements."
Victor went quiet.
"Did he give you documents?"
"No. He told me he had copies of reports."
"All right. Our legal team will need to verify anything he raises."
I nodded, even though he couldn't see me.
"Don't put him in danger."
"We won't."
I looked toward the staircase.
"Victor, there's a little boy involved in this too."
"I know."
"I don't want him hurt."
"Neither do I."
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then Victor asked:
"Have you told our eldest brother?"
"No."
"He should know what is happening."
"I don't want this turning into a political matter."
Victor understood immediately.
"Our eldest brother can remain informed without becoming involved in the company's decisions."
"And our second brother?"
"His financial institution has already identified the relevant exposure. They're reviewing it independently."
I closed my eyes.
Everything was moving faster than I had expected.
"Victor, please remember that this started because my husband betrayed our family."
"I remember."
"But the people who work for him didn't marry him."
Victor's voice softened.
"That's why we're reviewing the contracts instead of making emotional decisions."
I thanked him.
After we ended the call, I sat alone for a long time.
Then I opened my handbag.
The necklace was inside.
One of the paper hearts had fallen off.
I picked it up and placed it beside the ribbon.
I didn't know why I couldn't put it away.
Perhaps because it was the only thing from that evening that had been made honestly.
The next morning, I woke before Sophia.
My phone was already vibrating.
Dominic had called six times.
There were also several messages.
We need to talk.
You have no idea what you've done.
Call me immediately.
I read them without replying.
Then another message arrived.
Please don't involve your family in this.
I stared at that one.
It was almost funny.
He had been comfortable accepting financial support from people he didn't even know.
But now that he understood whose family was involved, he wanted me to keep them away.
I put the phone down.
A little later, Victor called.
"The board has scheduled a meeting."
"When?"
"This morning."
"What are they discussing?"
"Leadership, financing, and the discrepancies identified in the records."
"Is Dominic attending?"
"Yes."
I looked outside.
The rain had stopped.
"Will he know about the Sterling connection?"
"He will know which investment entities are involved."
I sat quietly.
Then I asked:
"Did he ever thank you?"
Victor laughed softly.
"Not personally."
I looked at the paper necklace.
"Of course."
"Viv, there's something else."
"What?"
"Dominic's position may have given him access to information he shouldn't have used for personal purposes."
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Do you have proof?"
"Not yet. We're investigating."
I didn't ask him to explain further.
I wanted facts.
Not suspicions.
When the call ended, I prepared breakfast for Sophia.
She came downstairs wearing her pajamas.
"Mommy, is Daddy coming home?"
I put a plate in front of her.
"I don't know."
She looked disappointed.
I sat beside her.
"But you and I are going to be okay."
She nodded.
Then she asked for another pancake.
I smiled.
For the first time since the gala, the morning felt almost normal.
Click here to continue reading: PART 7: Dominic Called Me From the Boardroom and Accused Me of Destroying the Company He Had Spent Years Pretending to Own
The Little Girl With a Handmade Gift Was About to Discover That Her Father Had Built a Second Family
Part 6 of 20
