Chapter 4: The Envelope Nobody Was Supposed to Find
“Daniel, what envelope?””
Camille's voice barely rose above a whisper.
On the other end of the call, her husband said nothing.
The lobby seemed to shrink around her.
Marcus stood beside her, his eyes fixed on the phone. Grant Whitmore had stopped moving. Vanessa was gripping the strap of her designer handbag so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.
“Daniel,” Camille repeated.
“I'm asking you a question.””
Finally, her husband spoke.
“Baby, I need you to listen carefully. You shouldn't be talking about this in front of other people.””
Camille looked at her father.
“I'm standing right next to Dad. You already know that.””
A long silence followed.
Then Daniel sighed.
“Of course you are.””
Marcus stepped closer.
“Daniel, this is Marcus. Explain what you meant.””
“Mr. Bennett, I can explain everything.””
“Then explain.””
“Not over the phone.””
Marcus glanced toward Derrick.
“Put him on speaker.””
Camille had already done so.
Daniel continued.
“Camille, where exactly are you?””
“In the lobby.””
“Are Vanessa and Grant still there?””
Camille looked at the couple.
“Yes.””
Another silence.
Then Daniel said something that made her stomach tighten.
“Don't let them leave.””
Vanessa immediately turned toward the entrance.
Grant grabbed her wrist.
“Stay here,” he whispered.
Camille heard him.
“Daniel, why would I need to stop them from leaving?””
“Because they have something that belongs to you.””
Marcus's expression hardened.
“What exactly do they have?””
Daniel lowered his voice.
“The envelope.””
Camille closed her eyes.
“Daniel, I don't know what you're talking about.””
“It's the brown envelope you found in the study last Thursday.””
Suddenly, Camille remembered.
She had been cleaning the small home office while Daniel was downstairs preparing dinner.
Behind a stack of financial documents, she had discovered a sealed envelope bearing the name of Bennett Hospitality Group.
Inside were several photocopied pages, a handwritten note, and a photograph.
She hadn't read everything.
She had recognized her father's company name and immediately called Daniel.
He had told her it was confidential business paperwork and promised to explain later.
But the next morning, the envelope was gone.
When Camille asked about it, Daniel said he had returned it to the filing cabinet.
She had believed him.
Now she looked at Grant.
“Was the envelope yours?””
Grant adjusted his coat.
“I have no idea what you're talking about.””
Vanessa stepped forward.
“Neither do I.””
Marcus raised his hand.
“Stop. Nobody leaves until we understand what is happening.””
Grant frowned.
“You cannot detain us.””
“I'm not detaining anyone. I'm asking you to remain available while we document a serious incident.””
Grant pulled his phone from his pocket.
“I'll call my attorney.””
“Please do.””
Derrick approached Marcus and whispered.
“Sir, should I contact the authorities?””
Marcus nodded.
“Preserve the footage and report the assault. Also, make sure nobody accesses the management office without authorization.””
Vanessa laughed nervously.
“This is getting absurd.””
Camille looked at her.
“Why did you know I was coming here?””
Vanessa didn't respond.
“Why did you know I would be in this lobby?””
“I didn't.””
“You were standing directly in my path before I even reached reception.””
Vanessa rolled her eyes.
“Coincidence.””
Camille shook her head.
“You hit me before I said a word.””
Grant stepped between them.
“Vanessa, don't say anything else.””
But it was too late.
Camille had noticed the fear in his voice.
She turned back to her phone.
“Daniel, I need you to tell me the truth. Did you know Vanessa would be here?””
Daniel exhaled.
“Yes.””
Camille's eyes filled.
“You knew?””
“I didn't know she would hit you.””
“But you knew she was coming?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because she was looking for the envelope.””
Camille felt her knees weaken.
Marcus gently guided her toward the nearest chair.
“Sit down, sweetheart.””
She sat, keeping the newborn secure against her chest.
“Why would she be looking for something in our house?””
Daniel hesitated.
“Because the documents could destroy the Whitmore deal.””
Marcus looked at Grant.
“What documents?””
Daniel continued.
“The original investment proposal. The one with the revised ownership structure.””
Marcus's eyes narrowed.
“What revised ownership structure?””
Grant suddenly stepped toward the phone.
“Daniel, you need to stop talking.””
Marcus turned.
“Why?””
Grant looked around at the guests.
“Because this conversation is based on incomplete information.””
Camille stared at him.
“You keep saying that. Every time somebody asks you a question, you say the same thing.””
Grant's face tightened.
“Mrs. Bennett, you don't understand the complexities of this situation.””
“Then explain them.””
Grant looked at Vanessa.
She shook her head slightly.
Marcus noticed.
“Derrick.””
“Yes, sir?””
“Have the security team escort Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore to a private conference room. They can wait there while we contact the appropriate authorities.””
Grant objected immediately.
“This is harassment.””
“No,” Marcus replied.
“It's a request to discuss an incident involving my daughter and your company's business dealings.””
Vanessa looked toward the entrance.
“I am not going anywhere with your security people.””
“Then you may remain here,” Marcus said.
“But I expect you to cooperate with any lawful investigation.””
Derrick stepped aside, allowing them to choose.
Grant grabbed Vanessa's arm.
“Come on.””
As they walked toward the conference room, Vanessa turned back.
Her eyes met Camille's.
“You have no idea what your father is involved in.””
Camille didn't respond.
The conference room door closed.
For several seconds, she could hear nothing except the fireplace crackling and her baby's soft breathing.
Then Daniel spoke again.
“Camille?””
She looked down at the phone.
“What?””
“I need you to understand something.””
“I'm listening.””
“I didn't want this to happen.””
Camille laughed bitterly.
“You knew something was happening, Daniel. You let me walk into it.””
“I was trying to protect you.””
“From what?””
“From people who don't play fair.””
She wiped a tear from her cheek.
“You were supposed to be my husband.””
“I am your husband.””
“Then why did I have to find out about all this while sitting on a hotel floor with our baby crying?””
Daniel didn't answer.
Marcus leaned toward the phone.
“Daniel, I want the truth. All of it. And I want you here.””
“I'll come.””
“Now.””
The call ended.
Camille looked at her father.
“Daddy, what if this is bigger than we think?””
Marcus sat beside her.
“Then we'll deal with it one piece at a time.””
She looked down at the newborn.
“I don't want him growing up around this.””
Marcus gently touched the baby's tiny hand.
“He won't have to.””
A few minutes later, Derrick returned with a printed document.
“Mr. Bennett, we found something.””
Marcus accepted the paper.
“What?””
“There's an access record showing that someone entered the hotel's management archive last night using an executive authorization code.””
Marcus scanned the document.
Then he looked at Camille.
“Do you recognize this name?””
She took the paper.
At the bottom was a signature.
Daniel Bennett.
Her husband's name.
And beside it was a handwritten note:
Retrieve the original agreement before Marcus arrives.
Camille's lips parted.
“Daniel was here last night?””
Derrick nodded.
“Yes, ma'am.””
Marcus looked toward the conference room.
“Then I think it's time we find out what your husband has been doing behind our backs.””
But before anyone could move, the hotel's front doors opened again.
A woman in a black coat hurried inside, carrying a thick leather folder.
She looked directly at Camille.
“Are you Mrs. Bennett?””
Camille nodded cautiously.
The woman approached.
“My name is Evelyn Price. I'm your father's chief financial officer.””
Marcus stood.
“Evelyn? Why are you here?””
She placed the folder on the table.
“Because I found the original agreement.””
May you like
Then she looked toward the closed conference room.
“And because somebody changed the ownership documents after your daughter's husband signed them.””
