Chapter 6: The Groom's Family Secret
Victoria lowered her phone.
Her wedding ring caught the light from the chandelier.
For a moment, she couldn't seem to understand what she had just heard.
Matthew Mercer was her fiancé.
Daniel Mercer was his father.
And Daniel's name appeared throughout the financial investigation.
"Victoria?"" Richard asked.
She looked at him.
"Grandpa—"
Her voice cracked.
"Sorry. Dad. I need to tell you something.""
Richard stepped closer.
"What is it?""
Victoria glanced toward the ballroom doors.
"Matthew just told me his father may be involved.""
James closed his eyes.
Richard stared at her.
"Daniel Mercer?""
Victoria nodded.
Danielle watched her carefully.
"Are you sure?""
Victoria looked at the phone.
"That's what Matthew said.""
Richard's expression darkened.
"Put him on speaker.""
Victoria hesitated.
Then she pressed the button.
"Matthew, you're on speaker.""
His voice filled the foyer.
"Victoria, listen. I didn't want to tell you this today.""
Richard stepped forward.
"Matthew, this is Richard Brooks. Explain what you know.""
There was a pause.
"Mr. Brooks.""
"Your father appears to be connected to unauthorized payments from my company. I want to know what you know.""
Matthew sighed.
"I suspected something was happening. I didn't know the full amount.""
"How long have you suspected it?""
"About two months.""
Richard's jaw tightened.
"Two months?""
Matthew continued.
"My father asked me to help him establish a company account. He said it was for an event-management partnership.""
Victoria looked horrified.
"You told me your father was retired.""
"He is. Technically.""
"What does that mean?""
"He still consults for several businesses.""
Richard interrupted.
"Did you help him?""
Matthew was silent.
"Matthew," Victoria said, "answer the question.""
"Yes.""
Her face fell.
"What did you do?""
"I helped him register a company.""
Richard looked at Angela.
"Which company?""
Matthew answered.
"Mercer Hospitality Consulting.""
Angela immediately began typing.
"Mr. Brooks, that company appears in the transaction records.""
Victoria took a step backward.
"You helped your father set up a company that received money from my wedding venue?""
"I didn't know the money was stolen.""
"Did you know it was coming from your future father-in-law's company?""
Matthew didn't answer.
Victoria's eyes filled with tears.
"Matthew?""
Finally, he spoke.
"I knew it was connected to Brooks Hospitality.""
The silence that followed was devastating.
Victoria stared at the phone.
"You knew?""
"I thought it was an investment arrangement.""
"You thought it was normal for my father's company to send hundreds of thousands of dollars to a business your father secretly controlled?""
"I didn't know the details.""
Victoria shook her head.
"You're lying.""
"Victoria, please.""
"No. You knew enough to stay quiet.""
Matthew's voice became defensive.
"I was trying to protect my father.""
Victoria looked at Danielle.
Then at Richard.
Then at her mother.
Suddenly, the wedding felt like a room full of strangers.
Richard took the phone.
"Matthew, where is your father right now?""
"I don't know.""
"Don't lie to me.""
"He's supposed to be arriving at the wedding.""
Richard looked at Angela.
"Find out whether Daniel Mercer is on the guest list.""
Angela checked her tablet.
"Yes, sir. He's listed as a special guest.""
Richard's eyes narrowed.
"Has he checked in?""
Angela scrolled.
"Not yet.""
James stepped forward.
"Richard, we need to stop the ceremony.""
Victoria looked at him.
"I know.""
But Richard shook his head.
"Not yet.""
Everyone turned toward him.
He continued.
"We are not going to turn this into a public spectacle without understanding the full situation. We will secure the evidence, protect the guests, and let the investigation proceed.""
Vanessa laughed.
"How noble.""
Richard ignored her.
He looked at Victoria.
"Are you still planning to marry Matthew?""
Victoria stared at the phone.
She had spent fourteen months planning the wedding.
She had chosen the flowers herself.
She had designed the invitations, selected the music, and spent countless evenings discussing their future.
She had believed Matthew was the one person who would never lie to her.
But he had known.
And he had chosen silence.
"I don't know," she whispered.
Danielle reached for her hand.
"You don't have to decide everything right now.""
Victoria looked at her.
"How are you being so calm?""
Danielle gave a tired smile.
"I'm not calm. I'm just trying not to let the baby feel how scared I am.""
Victoria looked at Elijah.
The tiny boy was sleeping against his mother's chest.
For a moment, Victoria felt ashamed.
Danielle had arrived alone, carrying a newborn and hoping for a family reunion.
Instead, she had been humiliated by people who were supposed to welcome her.
And Victoria had spent the morning worrying about table arrangements and wedding photographs.
She squeezed Danielle's hand.
"I'm sorry.""
Danielle shook her head.
"You didn't do this.""
Vanessa suddenly stepped forward.
"Victoria, I need to speak with you privately.""
Victoria didn't move.
"What now?""
"Please.""
"No.""
Vanessa looked around.
"Don't make this worse.""
Victoria's expression hardened.
"Mom, you've already made it worse.""
Vanessa lowered her voice.
"I did what I had to do.""
"For what?""
Vanessa glanced toward Richard.
Then at James.
Then at Danielle.
Finally, she whispered something that made Victoria's eyes widen.
"Your father knew about the money.""
James looked up sharply.
"What?""
Vanessa turned.
"Don't pretend you didn't.""
James stepped forward.
"Vanessa, be careful.""
She laughed.
"You approved the first transfer. You told me Daniel would arrange the rest.""
James's face drained of color.
Richard turned toward him.
"James?""
James looked at the floor.
"I approved one payment.""
Vanessa nodded triumphantly.
"There. You see?""
James raised his voice.
"One payment for a legitimate supplier. I never approved two million dollars!""
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
"Don't change the story.""
James looked at Richard.
"I made a mistake. I authorized a deposit of sixty thousand dollars for a lighting company. I believed the company was approved.""
Angela checked the records.
"Sir, I can see that payment.""
James nodded.
"That was my responsibility. I should have verified it.""
Richard stared at him.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"I was embarrassed. I thought it would be resolved.""
Richard shook his head.
"You're going to have to explain that to the board.""
James nodded.
"I understand.""
Vanessa looked increasingly frustrated.
"Why are you all acting like I'm the only one who made a mistake?""
Danielle spoke quietly.
"Because you're the only one who slapped someone.""
Vanessa spun toward her.
"Stay out of this!""
Richard immediately stepped between them.
"One more word directed at my daughter, and this conversation ends.""
Vanessa stepped backward.
Then a voice came from the entrance.
"Is there a problem?""
A tall older man wearing a dark blue suit entered the foyer.
He carried a black leather briefcase.
His silver hair was combed neatly backward, and his expression was calm.
Richard recognized him immediately.
Daniel Mercer.
The former chief financial officer.
The man whose name appeared on forty-seven suspicious transactions.
The man who had helped Richard build his company.
And the father of the groom.
Daniel smiled when he saw Richard.
"Old friend.""
Richard didn't smile back.
"Daniel.""
Daniel glanced around.
"What's going on? I heard there was some confusion at the entrance.""
Vanessa looked relieved.
"Daniel, thank goodness.""
Daniel gave her a small nod.
Then his eyes settled on Danielle.
He studied her for several seconds.
"Well," he said, "this is unexpected.""
Richard stepped forward.
"You know my daughter?""
Daniel smiled.
"Of course. I've seen photographs.""
Danielle frowned.
"Photographs?""
Daniel ignored the question.
He looked at Richard.
"I assume this has something to do with the financial records.""
Richard nodded.
"It does.""
Daniel placed his briefcase on the reception counter.
"Then perhaps we should discuss this privately.""
Angela stepped forward.
"Mr. Mercer, we have a few questions about the companies receiving payments from Brooks Hospitality.""
Daniel opened his briefcase.
"Certainly. I brought some documents.""
He removed a thick folder and placed it on the counter.
Richard looked at the folder.
"What documents?""
"Proof that the transactions were legitimate.""
Angela began examining the papers.
Her expression became increasingly puzzled.
"These are invoices.""
"Correct.""
"Some are dated before the companies were registered.""
Daniel smiled.
"Administrative delays.""
Angela turned another page.
"This invoice lists equipment that was never delivered.""
Daniel's smile faded.
"Then perhaps the supplier failed to complete the order.""
Richard stared at him.
"Two million dollars, Daniel.""
Daniel sighed.
"Richard, you know how complicated business can be.""
Richard leaned forward.
"Not complicated enough to explain forged signatures.""
For the first time, Daniel looked genuinely irritated.
"Careful, Richard. You're making serious accusations.""
"Good. Then you'll have no problem answering serious questions.""
Daniel glanced toward Vanessa.
Then toward James.
Then toward Victoria.
Finally, he looked at Danielle.
Something in his expression changed.
"Actually," he said slowly, "there's one person here who can explain why these payments were made.""
Richard frowned.
"Who?""
Daniel pointed directly at Danielle.
"Your daughter.""
Danielle froze.
Richard immediately turned toward him.
"What did you just say?""
Daniel opened another compartment in his briefcase.
He removed a printed document and placed it on the counter.
It contained Danielle's full name.
Her home address.
And a signature that looked disturbingly familiar.
Daniel tapped the page.
"Because according to this document, Danielle Brooks was the original beneficiary of the company receiving the money.""
Danielle stared at the paper.
Her face went pale.
"I've never seen that.""
Daniel smiled faintly.
"Then perhaps you should explain why your signature is on it.""
Richard picked up the document.
His hands tightened around the edges.
Because the signature wasn't merely similar to Danielle's.
It was an exact copy of the signature on her original hospital authorization paperwork.
And beneath it was a date from three weeks before Elijah was born.
Danielle whispered:
"Who gave you my hospital records?""
Daniel closed his briefcase.
"That's a question you should ask your father.""
Richard looked at Danielle.
Then at Daniel.
And for the first time that evening, he appeared completely stunned.
Because someone had used his daughter's identity to move company money.
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And whoever had done it had access to private documents that should never have left the hospital.
*The wedding was no longer just a family scandal. It was something much more dangerous.*