Chapter 2 - The Envelope He Never ExpectedDaniel came home just after six.
He whistled as he walked through the front door.
"Claire?" he called casually.
No answer.
He stepped into the kitchen.
The mug still sat on the table.
Beside it...
My wedding ring.
His smile disappeared.
"What is this?"
Vanessa walked in behind him.
"She's trying to scare you."
Daniel picked up the ring.
Then he noticed a large brown envelope underneath it.
Across the front were six typed words.
OPEN ONLY AFTER READING EVERYTHING.
He frowned and pulled out the first document.
A certified copy of a police report.
His expression changed.
The second document was my medical report from St. Catherine's Hospital.
Partial-thickness facial burns caused by hot liquid.
The third contained color photographs of my injuries.
His hands began to shake.
Vanessa scoffed.
"She's exaggerating."
Daniel kept reading.
The fourth document came from my attorney.
Effective immediately, all joint financial authority granted to Daniel Brooks has been revoked.
The fifth document froze him completely.
A forensic accounting report.
Every transfer.
Every withdrawal.
Every unauthorized attempt to access my inheritance.
Highlighted in red.
Vanessa grabbed the pages.
"What is this?"
Daniel whispered,
"...I don't know."
She continued reading.
The report listed dozens of transactions connected to companies she controlled.
Several had already been flagged for suspected fraud.
At the bottom was a single sentence.
Copies have been delivered to financial investigators.
Vanessa's face turned white.
Before either of them could speak...
Someone knocked on the front door.
Three firm knocks.
Daniel opened it.
Two detectives stood outside.
"Mr. Brooks?"
"Yes."
"We have a warrant to seize all electronic devices connected to an ongoing financial fraud investigation."
Vanessa tried to step backward.
One detective calmly added,
May you like
"Ms. Vanessa Brooks..."
"You're not free to leave."
