Chapter 10 - The Last NameThe final compartment contained a photograph.
Emma stood beside Victoria at the foundation’s first event.
They were younger.
Smiling.
Between them stood a man in a tuxedo.
His face had been torn away.
On the back, Emma had written:
Victoria stole the money. But she did not begin the plan.
The ballroom fell silent again.
The attorney opened a sealed audio file marked with the same date.
Emma’s voice played:
If Lily has reached this recording, Victoria has already been exposed. Do not let the board treat her as the only guilty person.
Victoria closed her eyes.
Lily looked at her.
“Who was helping you?”
Victoria said nothing.
The audio continued.
Someone ordered Victoria to move the scholarship money into private accounts. Someone promised her the foundation would become hers if she removed my name.
The guests looked toward the board table.
Several directors became pale.
Then Emma said:
The person is still attending every Langford gala.
All phones turned toward the guests.
The elderly donor gripped the back of her chair.
The attorney looked toward the torn photograph.
Lily reached into the clutch one final time.
She found the missing piece.
A man’s face.
White hair.
Familiar smile.
The foundation chairman.
Victoria’s father.
He stood at the rear of the ballroom, watching silently.
Lily held up the photograph.
His smile vanished.
Victoria whispered:
“Dad?”
He turned toward the exit.
But the uniformed ballroom manager calmly closed the doors.
Then Emma’s recording delivered one final sentence:
He did not only steal from the foundation. He knows why I died.
Lily’s hands began trembling.
The chairman slowly faced her.
And said:
May you like
“Your mother should never have left you that bag.”
TO BE CONTINUED.
