Chapter 4: The Woman Behind the Glass
“No.””
Helen stared at the frozen image.
“No, that’s not possible.””
Daniel turned toward her.
“You know her.””
Helen didn't respond.
I did.
“That's your daughter, isn't it?””
Her lips parted.
“She was an employee here.””
“Was?””
“She resigned.””
“When?””
Helen swallowed.
“Six weeks ago.””
I looked at the screen.
The footage showed a woman who clearly knew exactly where the private collection was stored.
She knew which cabinet to open.
She knew how to bypass the staff areas.
And she had somehow used Helen’s credentials.
I looked at Daniel.
“Pull every recording from the past six months.””
Helen shook her head.
“This is getting out of control.””
“No,” I said quietly.
“It has been out of control for six months.””
She lowered her voice.
“Evelyn, listen to me.””
“I’m listening.””
“You don't know what you're looking at.””
“Then explain it.””
She looked toward Chloe.
“Not here.””
I glanced around the boutique.
There were only six employees left.
“Then tell everyone to leave.””
Helen looked surprised.
“You trust me enough to do that?””
“No.””
I turned to Daniel.
“Clear the floor.””
Within minutes, the customers were guided outside.
The employees were sent to the back office.
Only Daniel, Helen, Chloe, and I remained.
I placed the tablet on the counter.
“Start talking.””
Helen stared at the footage.
“My daughter, Lauren, made mistakes.””
“What kind of mistakes?””
“She had debts.””
“Three million dollars’ worth?””
Helen flinched.
“I didn't know it had become that much.””
I pointed toward the screen.
“She damaged the dress.””
“Yes.””
“You knew?””
“I knew she had taken merchandise.””
Chloe suddenly spoke.
“You told me to accuse her.””
Helen looked at her sharply.
“I told you to follow company procedure.””
“That’s not what you said.””
Chloe’s voice trembled.
“You told me the woman coming in today was going to be difficult. You said to watch her.””
I turned toward Chloe.
“You knew who I was?””
Chloe shook her head.
“No. I only knew Helen wanted me to make an example of you if there was a problem.””
Helen stepped forward.
“That is not what happened.””
Chloe looked furious now.
“You told me she was trying to get access to the private collection without an appointment.””
Helen's eyes narrowed.
“And you believed me?””
“I believed my supervisor!””
The room went silent.
I slowly looked at Helen.
“Why me?””
She didn't answer.
“Why did you need me blamed?””
Her jaw tightened.
“I didn't know it would become this.””
“That doesn't answer the question.””
Helen looked down.
Then she said something I never expected.
“Your father was going to promote you.””
My expression changed.
“What?””
“He was preparing to put you on the board.””
Daniel looked stunned.
I stared at her.
Helen continued.
“He planned to move me out of sales leadership.””
That was the first time her voice cracked.
“He was replacing me.””
I understood.
This wasn't about an emerald dress.
It was about power.
But there was still something missing.
“You destroyed merchandise because my father was going to replace you?””
Helen shook her head.
“I didn't destroy most of it.””
“Most?””
She looked at me.
“The inventory losses began before I knew about your father's decision.””
My chest tightened.
“Then who started them?””
Helen glanced at Daniel.
That glance lasted less than a second.
But I caught it.
Daniel caught it too.
He immediately stepped back.
“Why are you looking at me?””
Helen said nothing.
I looked between them.
“Daniel.””
He raised both hands.
“I've done nothing.””
“Then open your records.””
“I will.””
“Now.””
He reached for the tablet.
Before he could touch it, the front doors of the boutique slammed open.
A man in a dark suit walked inside.
Two corporate attorneys followed him.
I recognized one of them immediately.
He was my father's chief legal adviser.
He looked directly at me.
“Evelyn, your father wants you upstairs.””
“Why?””
The attorney's expression was grim.
“Because we found something else.””
He held up a thick folder.
“The original ownership documents for this store were altered.””
I stared at him.
“Altered by whom?””
He looked past me.
Straight at Daniel.
Daniel's face went white.
The attorney continued.
“And the person who authorized the changes used your father's signature.””
I turned slowly toward Daniel.
He looked terrified.
But before anyone could speak, my phone buzzed.
A new message had arrived from my father.
May you like
Just four words.
*DON'T TRUST DANIEL. HE KNOWS.*
