Eleanor's eyes moved briefly toward the illuminated screen.
She read every word.
Then she looked at her son.
Daniel quickly turned the phone over.
But it was too late.
For the first time, Eleanor understood that the problem might be far greater than financial irresponsibility.
Someone was actively encouraging her son to deceive her.
And that someone was the woman he intended to marry.
Eleanor slowly stood.
"Daniel."
"Yes, Mom?"
"I think we need to have a conversation about Vanessa."
His face turned pale.
"Why?"
She looked directly into his eyes.
"Because I believe there are things about your fiancée that you don't know."
Daniel shook his head.
"Mom, please don't start."
Eleanor reached into her handbag and removed a sealed envelope.
She placed it on the table.
Inside were copies of financial records, property inquiries, and messages connected to the investigation.
Daniel stared at the envelope.
"What's that?"
"The beginning of the truth."
He slowly opened it.
And as he read the first page, the color drained from his face.
For the first time, Daniel began to wonder whether the woman he was planning to marry had been using him all along.
Daniel stared at the message on his phone.
For several seconds, he could not move.
The words were still visible on the screen.
"Don't tell her about Richard. And whatever you do, make sure she signs something today. We cannot afford another delay."
He read them again.
Then he looked at his mother.
"Mom, where did you get these documents?"
Eleanor remained standing beside the dining table.
"They came from an independent investigation into the financial activities surrounding my property."
"An investigation?"
"Yes."
Daniel's voice became defensive.
"Why would you investigate me?"
Eleanor looked at him sadly.
"Because someone attempted to use my house as collateral without my permission."
"I wasn't going to steal anything."
"I never said you were."
"Then why are you treating me like a criminal?"
Eleanor sat down.
"Daniel, I am treating you like an adult who needs to take responsibility for his decisions."
He pushed the envelope away.
"You don't understand what's happening."
"Then help me understand."
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
"Vanessa has been trying to help me. My business is struggling, and she knows how important it is to me. She thought we could find a way to secure additional financing."
"Using my house?"
"She thought you might agree."
"Did you ask me?"
He remained silent.
"Daniel, look at me."
He slowly raised his eyes.
"If you had come here and told me that your business was in trouble, would I have listened?"
"Yes."
"Would I have tried to help you?"
"Of course."
"Then why did you choose to investigate my property behind my back?"
Daniel had no answer.
Eleanor reached for her coffee.
"I don't expect you to be perfect. I never have. But I do expect you to be honest with me."
Daniel looked down at the documents again.
"Who is Richard?"
Eleanor did not answer immediately.
"I believe that's a question you should ask Vanessa."
Daniel picked up his phone.
His hands were shaking slightly.
He opened the message conversation and began scrolling through earlier exchanges.
There were several messages he had never noticed before.
Some mentioned financial arrangements.
Others referred to a deadline.
One message from Vanessa read:
"Once the documents are signed, everything will become much easier. Eleanor won't need to know all the details."
Daniel felt his stomach tighten.
He looked at his mother.
"What does this mean?"
Eleanor leaned forward.
"I don't know everything yet. That's why I want you to investigate it yourself."
"Do you think Vanessa is planning something?"
"I think you should stop asking me what I believe and start examining what she has actually done."
Daniel stood abruptly.
"I need to talk to her."
Eleanor nodded.
"Then go."
He walked toward the door.
But before leaving, he turned around.
"Mom?"
"Yes?"
"Did you really hire someone to investigate me?"
Eleanor's eyes softened.
"I hired someone to protect my property. What they discovered concerned your financial activities. There is a difference."
Daniel looked embarrassed.
"I understand."
"I hope you do."
He left without finishing his coffee.
Eleanor watched him through the window until his car disappeared.
Then she returned to the study and called Margaret.
"Margaret, we need to move carefully."
"What happened?"
"Daniel has seen the documents."
"How did he react?"
"He was shocked. I believe he may finally be questioning Vanessa."
"Should we arrange a meeting with the legal team?"
"Yes. But there is something else."
"Go ahead."
"I want to know who Richard Coleman really is."
Margaret paused.
"Claire has been looking into him. We should have preliminary information shortly."
"Good. Please ask her to send everything directly to you."
"Of course."
Eleanor ended the call.
She walked to the magnolia tree outside her study.
Its branches moved gently in the wind.
She remembered Robert standing there years earlier, holding a small shovel while Daniel played nearby.
"One day," Robert had told her, "our son will grow up and build a life of his own. We just have to make sure he understands that success means nothing if he loses his heart."
Eleanor closed her eyes.
"I tried, Robert," she whispered.
"I really tried."
Daniel drove home in silence.
The message from Vanessa remained in his mind.
He had always considered himself a reasonable man.
He knew his business was struggling, but he had never imagined that his financial difficulties could become a reason for his fiancée to deceive him.
When he entered the apartment, Vanessa was standing in front of the mirror, adjusting her earrings.
"You're back early," she said.
Daniel placed his keys on the table.
"We need to talk."
She glanced at him through the mirror.
"About what?"
"Richard Coleman."
Her hand stopped moving.