Chapter 6 - Someone Else Was Watching LiveAdrian looked up at the camera.
Claire saw Vanessa’s terror return.
Not shame.
Not fear of Adrian.
Something worse.
“You know where the footage goes.”
Vanessa shook her head.
Claire stared.
“You do.”
“No.”
Adrian stepped forward.
“Who is watching?”
Vanessa said nothing.
Claire noticed her hand.
Shaking.
That was new.
Vanessa had not trembled when Claire cried.
Not when Adrian entered.
Not when the envelope was found.
Only now.
Adrian asked again.
“Who?”
Vanessa whispered:
“I don’t know.”
Claire almost laughed.
“Then why are you afraid?”
No answer.
The corridor became quiet.
The camera’s red indicator remained on.
Watching.
Then Vanessa said something unexpected.
“It was supposed to be disconnected.”
Adrian stared.
Claire did too.
“So you admit you knew about the camera.”
Vanessa closed her eyes.
Mistake.
Too late.
Adrian continued.
“Who told you it would be disconnected?”
No answer.
Claire looked at her.
“Your committee?”
Vanessa shook her head.
“Adrian’s mother?”
Silence.
Claire saw it.
Not confirmation.
But fear.
Adrian saw it too.
“My mother planned this?”
Vanessa snapped:
“No.”
Too quick.
Again.
Adrian’s face changed.
“What exactly did she know?”
Vanessa looked toward the black double doors.
As if someone might enter.
No one did.
Claire remembered every conversation with her mother-in-law.
The questions.
The concern.
The careful phrasing.
Pregnancy can change judgment.
You must protect yourself from emotional decisions.
The trust can wait.
Maybe motherhood should be your focus.
All kindness on the surface.
All moving toward the same conclusion.
Claire should step aside.
Adrian whispered:
“She asked me to delay telling Claire about the mansion.”
Claire looked at him.
He continued.
“She said knowing would create unnecessary pressure.”
Claire’s eyes filled.
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
“That’s what she told you?”
Adrian turned.
“What does that mean?”
Vanessa said nothing.
Claire stepped closer.
“Tell him.”
Vanessa’s expression hardened.
“Why?”
“Because the camera is still recording.”
Vanessa looked up.
Claire continued.
“And if you lie now, whoever is watching hears that too.”
That changed her.
Vanessa finally spoke.
“Your mother knew the trust would transfer after the baby was born.”
Adrian nodded.
“She also knew the committee could stop it.”
His face darkened.
“And?”
“She wanted time.”
“For what?”
“To find another beneficiary.”
Claire stared.
“The trust requires a non-Vale spouse.”
Vanessa looked at her.
“Yes.”
Claire understood.
If she were removed, Adrian could remarry.
Another woman.
Another beneficiary.
Someone approved by the family.
Someone easier to control.
Claire looked at Vanessa.
Then saw it.
“No.”
Vanessa looked away.
“You.”
Silence.
Adrian stopped breathing.
Claire continued.
“You were the replacement.”
Vanessa’s face collapsed.
Adrian stepped backward.
The betrayal was personal now.
Not only family.
Not only money.
Vanessa had been positioned as the acceptable future wife.
Old money connections.
The right education.
The right family.
The right dress.
The right class.
Everything Claire was told she lacked.
Vanessa whispered:
“It was never certain.”
Claire laughed through tears.
“Did you want it?”
No answer.
“Did you want my husband?”
Silence.
“Did you want my home?”
Still nothing.
Claire stepped closer.
“Did you want my child removed from the trust before it was even born?”
Vanessa’s face finally broke.
“Yes.”
The word was barely audible.
But clear.
Adrian stared at her with disgust.
Claire did not scream.
She simply nodded.
“Thank you.”
Vanessa looked confused.
“For what?”
“For finally saying it while the camera is on.”
Then Vanessa looked up.
The red light blinked twice.
And suddenly turned off.
Her face went white.
Someone had stopped the live feed.
May you like
Which meant someone had been watching the entire time.
And had just decided they had seen enough.
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