Alexander remembered her standing outside the family library, crying while his father argued with Daniel behind closed doors.
He also remembered the final accusation.
Daniel Carter had supposedly stolen millions from Whitmore Global Holdings.
After his death, the investigation had closed without any meaningful challenge to that conclusion.
And now his daughter had returned.
Victoria leaned toward Alexander.
“Why is she here?”
He didn’t answer.
Emily walked across the marble floor. Several guests recognized her, and their expressions shifted from curiosity to discomfort.
She stopped in front of Richard.
“Thank you for inviting me,” she said.
Richard nodded. “You have every right to be here.”
Alexander finally moved.
“This is a private family event,” he announced, loud enough for the nearest guests to hear. “I don’t think anyone explained that to you.”
Emily turned toward him.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then she offered him a calm, almost sympathetic smile.
“I know exactly whose event this is, Alexander.”
“Then you should understand why your presence is inappropriate.”
“My presence?” Emily glanced around the ballroom. “That’s an interesting choice of words, considering what your family did to mine.”
A few guests exchanged nervous looks.
Alexander stepped closer.
“My father has always been generous to people who have suffered misfortune. Don’t mistake that generosity for an invitation to make accusations.”
Emily opened her leather folder.
“I wouldn’t dream of making an accusation without evidence.”
She removed a single document and placed it on the podium.
Richard looked down at it.
His face turned pale.
Alexander noticed immediately.
“What is that?”
Emily kept her eyes on Richard.
“A copy of a financial agreement signed twelve years ago. One that was never presented during the investigation into my father’s company.”
Richard gripped the edge of the podium.
“Where did you get this?”
