Chapter 3
Daniel Brooks arrived less than five minutes later.
He was a tall Black attorney in his early sixties with silver hair and the calm expression of a man who had spent decades solving other people's disasters.
Beside him walked the hotel's security director.
My father immediately explained what had happened.
The shove.
The stolen phone.
The threat.
And the possibility that Vanessa had been planning something involving his business.
Daniel listened carefully.
Then looked at me.
"Maya, are you comfortable giving a statement?"
I nodded.
"Yes."
He glanced at my hands.
"First, we should have those injuries examined."
I looked down.
My palms were bleeding.
My knee throbbed.
And the side of my gown was torn.
Until that moment, I hadn't realized how badly I was shaking.
Daniel asked a hotel staff member to bring a first-aid kit.
Then he looked at the security director.
"Please preserve any footage showing the entrance and driveway."
The man nodded.
"We have several cameras covering this area."
My father exhaled sharply.
"Good."
Daniel continued.
"Also preserve the relevant recordings around the limousine. Do not delete or overwrite anything."
The security director agreed.
I looked at my father.
"Do you think Vanessa knew there were cameras?"
He shook his head.
"I don't know."
But something about his expression told me he was already wondering the same thing.
A hotel nurse arrived and cleaned my palms.
The antiseptic stung.
I winced.
Lily immediately reached for my hand.
"Does it hurt?"
I smiled weakly.
"A little."
Her eyes filled.
"I'm sorry."
I shook my head.
"You don't need to apologize."
She looked down.
"But Mommy said it was my fault."
My father stiffened.
"What?"
Lily swallowed.
"She said if I hadn't cried, Maya wouldn't have fallen."
My stomach twisted.
Vanessa had managed to blame everyone except herself.
Even her own daughter.
Arthur crouched beside Lily.
"Sweetheart, none of this is your fault."
She looked at him.
"Really?"
"Really."
He kissed her forehead.
Then he stood.
His face was hard.
"Daniel, I want to speak to Vanessa."
Daniel nodded.
"But let's do it carefully."
They arranged to meet her in a private room near the hotel's executive lounge.
I wanted to go.
My father hesitated.
"Maya, you've been through enough."
I looked at him.
"Dad, she accused me of lying in front of you."
His expression softened.
"I know."
"She pushed me onto the pavement."
"I know."
"Then please don't ask me to disappear while you discuss my life."
He stared at me.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he nodded.
"You're right."
I felt tears rise.
He continued.
"You can come."
Daniel looked toward Lily.
"What about her?"
My father considered the question.
Then asked whether she wanted to stay with the hotel concierge and a trusted family friend.
Lily nodded.
But she caught my hand before we left.
"Maya?"
I crouched.
"Yes?"
"Are you coming back?"
My heart broke.
I hugged her gently.
"Of course, sweetheart."
She whispered, "Promise?"
I looked into her eyes.
"I promise I'll come back for you."
She nodded.
Then released my hand.
We entered the private lounge.
Vanessa was sitting on a cream sofa.
She had a glass of sparkling water in one hand.
Her expression was composed.
But when she saw me walking beside my father, her smile vanished.
"Arthur."
She stood.
"Finally."
My father didn't respond.
Daniel closed the door.
Vanessa looked around.
"What is this?"
My father spoke quietly.
"I want Maya's phone."
Vanessa blinked.
"What?"
"You took her phone. Return it."
She laughed.
"Oh, for heaven's sake."
My father didn't smile.
"Vanessa."
She folded her arms.
"She was recording private conversations."
I felt my stomach tighten.
"So you admit taking it?"
Vanessa turned toward me.
"Stay out of this."
My father stepped forward.
"Do not speak to my daughter that way."
She stared at him.
For the first time, genuine surprise crossed her face.
Then she laughed bitterly.
"Unbelievable."
Daniel spoke calmly.
"Mrs. Bennett, it would be best to return the device."
Vanessa hesitated.
Then reached into her handbag.
She removed my phone.
But she didn't hand it over.
Instead, she held it tightly.
"She was trying to sabotage your business."
My father looked at her.
"How?"
Vanessa swallowed.
"She was recording confidential discussions."
"What discussions?"
She glanced at Daniel.
Then back at Arthur.
"I don't remember."
My father took a step closer.
"Vanessa, I am asking you one final time. Give Maya her phone."
She stared at him.
Then dropped it onto the table.
I reached for it.
The screen was cracked.
My stomach sank.
"What did you do?"
Vanessa looked away.
"It fell."
I picked it up.
The corner was badly damaged.
But the screen still lit.
I entered my passcode.
The recording app was open.
My heart began pounding.
The voice message hadn't been sent.
But it was still there.
Twenty-three minutes and fourteen seconds.
I stared.
I'd forgotten how long I'd been recording.
Daniel noticed my expression.
"Is the file intact?"
I nodded slowly.
"I think so."
My father looked at me.
"Maya, what is it?"
I swallowed.
"The recording."
Vanessa's face went white.
She reached toward me.
"Give me that phone."
My father stepped between us.
"No."
Vanessa froze.
I looked at Daniel.
"Can we listen?"
He considered.
"First, let's preserve an unaltered copy."
He explained that the recording could be important evidence.
We needed to document how it had been created and maintain its integrity.
My father nodded.
"Do whatever is necessary."
Vanessa suddenly stood.
"This is ridiculous!"
Arthur turned toward her.
"Sit down."
She stared at him.
"You cannot seriously believe her over your own wife."
He looked at me.
Then at Vanessa.
And said something I would remember for the rest of my life.
"I should have listened to my daughter a long time ago."
My eyes filled.
Vanessa's expression hardened.
"You have no idea what she's done."
My father looked directly at her.
"Then tell me."
Vanessa opened her mouth.
But no words came.
Daniel connected my phone to a secure recording device.
He created a copy of the file.
Then he looked at us.
"Ready?"
My father nodded.
I held my breath.
The recording began.
At first, we heard ordinary background noise.
My own voice speaking to Tasha.
Then footsteps.
A door.
And Vanessa's unmistakable voice.
"I told you, he'll sign everything tonight."
My father went completely still.
A man's voice answered.
"Are you sure Arthur hasn't read the revised documents?"
Vanessa laughed.
"He never reads anything when I tell him it's for the foundation."
I felt my blood turn cold.
My father stared at the phone.
Then Vanessa's voice continued.
"Once the shares are transferred, Maya won't have a claim to anything."
May you like
Arthur slowly raised his head.
And whispered, "What shares?"
