Dumped at the Altar, Claimed by a Hidden Tycoon novel · Chapter 12 of 24

Chapter 12: The Lift

Colby's father arrived at nine that night, alone, in a coat that did not fit him anymore.

He did not sit when Becky offered a chair.

He stood in the middle of the study with his hat in both hands and looked at the folder on the desk.

"I read my own bank's letter this afternoon," he said. "I know what you hold."

"Then you know I can end your company by Friday," Kendrick said.

"Yes."

"Mrs. Strathmore will decide what happens to it."

The older man turned to Becky, and she saw how old he had become in two days.

"My son has been a coward since he was a boy," he said. "I let him. His mother let him."

His voice broke.

"You paid for his first apartment, and we thanked you with a seat at the back of the church. I'm not here to ask you to forgive him. I'm here to tell you something he won't."

Becky crossed her arms.

"Go on."

"Vanessa Sholes is in my guest house."

He swallowed.

"She arrived at midnight with Colby. She has a velvet bag in her suitcase, and she told my wife it was a family piece she needed hidden. I looked in it this afternoon."

Kendrick's hand closed on the arm of his chair.

"The emerald," he said.

"A green stone the size of a plum, on a gold chain." Colby's father looked at him. "I didn't touch it. I thought you'd rather I told you."

"Why tell us?" Becky asked. "She's his."

"Because I've watched her for six years," the older man said, "and she has never once said a true thing in my house."

"What does she mean to do?"

"Wear it. She told Colby that at the foundation dinner tomorrow she'll walk in on his arm with the necklace on, and say Kendrick gave it to her. She says there's a letter."

"There is no letter," Kendrick said.

"She says there is, and she says nobody there will know the difference."

Becky looked at her husband.

He was white around the mouth, and he was looking at nothing.

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