Chapter 2 - THE SIGNATURE THAT WASN'T MINE
My first instinct was to call Adrian.
My second was to go upstairs.
My third was the only intelligent one.
“Preserve everything.”
Julian nodded.
“Already started.”
I looked at him.
“For how long have you suspected something?”
His face changed.
“Since your father died.”
I went still.
He leaned back.
“Harrison asked me to watch MorganWell’s access requests if anything happened to him.”
“Why?”
“Because he didn’t trust Adrian’s numbers.”
My throat tightened.
Dad had barely tolerated my husband by the end.
I assumed it was because Adrian was ambitious and Dad was old-fashioned.
Apparently, there had been more.
“What numbers?”
Julian opened a confidential folder.
MorganWell had reported rapid expansion.
Luxury wellness clinics.
Corporate memberships.
High-end hotel contracts.
But its internal debt was much larger than public filings suggested.
Short-term loans.
Delayed vendor payments.
Private obligations secured against future partnerships that did not yet exist.
I whispered:
“He’s almost broke.”
Julian nodded.
“Worse. He has approximately ninety days before several lenders can trigger default provisions.”
I sat down.
The room suddenly felt too small.
Adrian had spent six months telling me the Vale Harbor deal was about growth.
It wasn't.
It was rescue.
Then another thought hit me.
“Did Dad know Adrian was having an affair?”
Julian looked away.
That was answer enough.
My chest tightened.
“How long?”
“Harrison suspected inappropriate conduct between Adrian and Ms. Bain four months before he died.”
I closed my eyes.
My father knew.
And he died without telling me.
I wanted to be angry.
But grief complicated anger.
Maybe he thought I had to discover my marriage for myself.
Maybe he was waiting for proof.
Then Julian handed me a sealed envelope.
Dad’s handwriting covered the front.
For Elise — if Adrian ever asks Vale Harbor for money.
My hands shook.
I opened it.
My girl,
Love can make smart people explain away what they would immediately recognize in someone else’s marriage.
Tears blurred the page.
I hope I am wrong about Adrian.
But if he comes to Vale Harbor needing rescue, do not sign anything until Margaret Sloan reviews MorganWell’s books.
My throat tightened.
Then came the final line.
And Elise, if Claudia Vance is the person bringing you the deal, assume the problem is larger than Adrian.
I looked up.
“Dad knew about Claudia.”
Julian nodded.
Then the hotel phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
“What?”
He looked toward me.
Then covered the receiver.
“Security says Adrian and Celeste are coming downstairs.”
My pulse accelerated.
“Why?”
Julian swallowed.
“They’re asking to meet Claudia Vance.”
Inside my hotel.
Tonight.
May you like
This wasn't simply an affair.
It was a business meeting wrapped around one.
