Chapter 11 - THE EMPIRE THAT NEVER BELONGED TO HIM
Richard Whitmore received the first legal notice at nine the following morning.
By noon, three major investors had suspended business with Whitmore Couture.
By evening, federal investigators were reviewing decades of financial records.
And Ava Monroe had not raised her voice once.
She sat beside Eleanor in a quiet conference room while Samuel Bennett explained the original trust.
“The ownership transfer was never legally authorized,” he said. “The trust records establish Eleanor's controlling interest, with Ava designated as successor beneficiary.”
Ava frowned.
“So Dad can't just keep the company?”
“He can contest the claim. But we now have substantial evidence supporting your ownership rights.”
Niko stood near the window.
“Richard's financial problems are about to become public.”
Dante entered carrying a tablet.
“Several Whitmore accounts are under review. Their board has called an emergency meeting.”
Ava looked at her mother.
“Does this mean it's over?”
Eleanor smiled sadly.
“No, sweetheart. It means the truth finally has a chance.”
Across Manhattan, Richard Whitmore was losing control.
He slammed his hand against his office desk.
“Who authorized the suspension?”
His attorney remained silent.
Victoria paced near the windows.
“We need to leave the country.”
Richard turned.
“Not now.”
“They found Rosehaven!”
“Then someone talked.”
Victoria stopped pacing.
Richard stared at her.
“Where's Bianca?”
Victoria said nothing.
“Victoria!”
“I don't know.”
Richard's face changed.
“You told me Thomas was handling her.”
“He was.”
“Then call him!”
Victoria dialed.
No answer.
She tried again.
Still nothing.
Richard grabbed his coat.
“Someone has betrayed us.”
At the Moretti residence, Ava was helping Eleanor settle into a comfortable guest suite when her phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
A video message appeared.
Ava opened it.
Bianca sat in a dimly lit room, visibly frightened but apparently unharmed.
“I'm sorry,” Bianca whispered.
Ava's stomach tightened.
Bianca continued.
“Thomas isn't working for Mom anymore. He found out she was planning to blame everything on him.”
A man's voice spoke from behind the camera.
“Tell your sister what Victoria has.”
Bianca swallowed.
“Mom kept a recording of the night Eleanor was taken from the hospital.”
Ava gripped the phone.
“Where is it?”
Bianca looked directly into the camera.
“In the original Black Rose Collection.”
The video ended.
Niko entered the room.
Ava showed him the message.
He watched it twice.
Then his gaze moved toward the garment bag containing Eleanor's torn emerald dress.
Ava followed his eyes.
“The collection,” she whispered.
Niko nodded.
“Your mother hid the key in the hem of that dress.”
Ava slowly unzipped the bag.
“What else did she hide?”
Eleanor appeared in the doorway.
She stared at the emerald fabric.
Then at Ava.
“My God.”
“What is it, Mom?”
Eleanor stepped forward.
“That isn't the dress I left unfinished.”
Ava frowned.
“What?”
May you like
Her mother's face drained of color.
“That's the dress I made for the night I planned to disappear with you.”
