Chapter 17: The Money That Bought His Silence

The room became unbearably quiet.

The ledger lay open between us, showing the transfer from Celeste's account to Adrian's private account.

The date was eight years ago.

The same week Marcus died.

Graham stared at the page.

“Adrian received this money?”

Celeste said nothing.

Officer Brooks turned toward her.

“Mrs. Bellamy, I need an explanation for this transfer.”

Celeste's hands trembled.

“It wasn't payment for anything illegal.”

Hart pointed to the next entry.

“Then explain this one.”

Another transfer.

Then another.

The payments continued for months after Marcus's death.

All of them went to accounts controlled by Adrian.

I looked at Celeste.

“You bought his silence.”

She finally looked at me.

“I protected my son.”

Graham's face twisted with disbelief.

“From what?”

Celeste lowered her eyes.

“From the truth.”

Tessa stood rigidly beside the table.

“Did Adrian know what you did to Marcus?”

Celeste didn't answer.

Tessa's voice rose.

“Did he know?”

“Yes.”

One word.

It broke something inside Tessa.

She turned away, pressing a hand against her mouth.

Adrian had known.

He had known his mother framed Marcus.

He had known Graham was deceived.

And he had accepted money to remain silent.

But Hart wasn't finished.

She turned another page.

“There's a payment here from two years ago.”

I looked at the date.

It was shortly before Adrian and I began having serious problems in our marriage.

“What was that for?” I asked.

Celeste remained silent.

Officer Brooks examined the description.

“Legal and investigative services.”

Hart frowned.

“Who was being investigated?”

I already knew the answer.

“Me.”

Everyone looked at me.

I pointed toward the payment.

“They were building a case against me long before the birthday dinner.”

Hart immediately requested the supporting records.

Within minutes, the bank produced another file.

It contained payments to a private investigator.

My name appeared repeatedly.

Travel records.

Work schedules.

Hotel stays.

Business contacts.

Even photographs of me leaving my office.

My blood ran cold.

They hadn't suddenly suspected me of cheating.

They had been collecting material to make me look guilty.

The fake DNA report was simply the final piece.

Graham looked at Celeste with disgust.

“You planned this for years.”

Celeste shook her head.

“No. I planned for Nora to leave.”

I stared at her.

“Why?”

She hesitated.

Then she said, “Because Adrian was supposed to marry someone else.”

Adrian's face changed.

I felt no surprise.

Only exhaustion.

“Who?”

Celeste looked toward the door.

“The woman who was supposed to become the next Bellamy wife.”

The door opened.

A woman stepped into the room.

She was elegantly dressed, carrying a leather folder.

Adrian immediately stood.

“What are you doing here?”

The woman looked at him without emotion.

“Finishing what you started.”

She placed the folder on the table.

“My name is Mara Collins.”

She turned toward me.

“And I have proof that Adrian planned to divorce you long before the birthday prank.”

I looked at Adrian.

For the first time, he couldn't even meet my eyes.