If the scheme succeeded, Richard could lose control of the company he had built over four decades.
"Who prepared the documents?" he asked.
"We're still investigating. But Daniel Brooks appears to be connected to the investment company."
"And Victoria?"
Margaret hesitated.
"Her name appears on one of the supporting documents."
Richard closed his eyes.
He had suspected betrayal.
He had not expected his daughter to be involved in a plan that could destroy his life's work.
"Could she have been deceived?" he asked.
"It's possible. We need to speak with her before reaching a conclusion."
That evening, Richard returned to the security footage.
He watched the recording of Victoria opening the drawer.
Then he noticed something he had overlooked.
Before handing the folder to Daniel, she removed a small envelope from beneath the papers.
She studied it for several seconds.
Her expression changed.
She looked frightened.
Then she placed the envelope inside her handbag.
Richard paused the recording.
What was in that envelope?
He remembered seeing a similar envelope in his wife's belongings years earlier. Eleanor had kept important family documents in a small wooden box in her bedroom.
After her death, Richard had placed the box in storage.
He had not opened it in years.
The next morning, he retrieved it.
Inside were old letters, photographs, and several legal documents. Most concerned family matters, but one letter was addressed to Victoria.
It was written in Eleanor's handwriting.
Richard sat down before reading it.
"My dearest Victoria,
If you are reading this, I hope you have found the courage to be honest with yourself. Your father loves you more than he knows how to say. He has made mistakes, and so have I. But do not allow the pain of our mistakes to convince you that love is something you must earn through money or power.
I have watched you grow into a strong woman. I know you want to prove that you can stand on your own. I only ask that you never confuse independence with the freedom to hurt others.
One day, you may be offered an easy way to get what you want. It may seem harmless at first. Someone may tell you that the rules are unfair, that your family owes you something, or that a small lie is necessary to correct a greater injustice.
Please remember this: a lie does not become harmless because it begins with pain.
If you ever feel trapped, speak to someone who truly cares about you. You do not have to destroy your future to prove that your past was unfair.
With all my love,
Mom."
Richard read the letter twice.
Then he placed it carefully on the desk.
He remembered Eleanor writing it during the final months of her illness. At the time, she had told him she wanted to leave something personal for their daughter.
Richard had never known what the letter contained.
Now he wondered whether Victoria had read it.
Perhaps she had taken the envelope from the office because she had been looking for it.
Perhaps Daniel had promised her something in exchange for helping him.
Perhaps the situation was more complicated than it appeared.
Richard needed answers.
And he was determined to hear them from his daughter herself.
PART 4: THE CONFRONTATION
Richard arranged a family dinner for Friday evening.
Victoria arrived at seven.
Daniel arrived ten minutes later.
Richard had not invited him.
When the doorbell rang, Victoria looked toward the entrance and immediately became tense.
"Why is he here?" she asked.
Richard set down his glass.
"That is exactly what I would like to know."
Daniel entered the dining room carrying his briefcase.
He looked surprised to see Richard sitting at the head of the table, but he recovered quickly.
"Richard. It's been a long time."
"Not long enough, apparently."
Daniel placed his briefcase on a chair.
"Victoria said you wanted to discuss a business opportunity."
"I want to discuss the documents you removed from my office."
The room went silent.
Victoria turned toward Daniel.
He stared at Richard.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Richard pressed a button on the remote control.
The television mounted on the wall displayed the security footage.
The recording showed Daniel entering the office, opening the briefcase, and collecting the documents.
Victoria's face went pale.
Daniel's expression hardened.
"You've been recording us?"
"I installed security cameras in my own office."
"You had no right to invade our privacy."
Richard looked at him in disbelief.
"My office. My documents. My company. And you are concerned about privacy?"
Daniel took a step forward.
"You're making a mistake."
"Then explain what you were doing."
Daniel looked at Victoria.
She said nothing.
Richard continued.