Chapter 4 - Vanessa Reveals the Original Plan
Vanessa asked for an attorney before answering formal questions.
Later, through counsel, she gave investigators a statement.
She admitted working with Marcus.
But she claimed Lily was never supposed to be harmed.
The original plan was to stage a domestic disturbance.
Emma would witness Vanessa shouting.
Police would be called.
The prepaid phone would be placed inside Daniel’s office.
Officers would find it only if circumstances legally justified entering
that area or Daniel consented.
Marcus believed the phone would trigger a federal financial
investigation.
Why?
Because Daniel had recently discovered irregularities inside Kane
Development Group.
Millions had disappeared from construction escrow accounts.
Daniel planned to announce an independent audit the following Monday.
Marcus managed those accounts.
Daniel stared at the timeline.
“So he needed me discredited before the audit.”
Yes.
A financial-crime investigation focused on Daniel could delay the audit
and weaken his credibility with the board.
But why involve Vanessa?
Money.
Marcus promised her ten million dollars through a divorce settlement
strategy.
He convinced her Daniel had hidden assets and intended to leave her with
nothing.
Vanessa admitted she believed him.
Daniel looked at his wife across the attorney’s conference room.
“And Lily?”
Vanessa cried.
“I lost control.”
That answer disgusted him more than an elaborate excuse.
She had become angry when Lily refused food.
Then she turned the staged argument into real humiliation.
She photographed it because Marcus demanded evidence of chaos.
Emma saw everything.
Vanessa panicked.
The plan began collapsing.
But another question remained.
How did Marcus know Emma would call police first?
Emma answered.
Because three days earlier, she had received an anonymous text:
IF YOU EVER SEE SOMETHING DANGEROUS WITH LILY, DON’T CALL DANIEL FIRST.
CALL 911. SOMEONE MAY BE MONITORING HIS PHONE.
Daniel frowned.
Marcus had manipulated Emma too.
Except the warning accidentally helped save Lily.
Then investigators traced the anonymous number.
It was not connected to Marcus.
It belonged to another prepaid device.
And that device had been purchased by someone Daniel trusted even more.
May you like
His younger brother.
Ethan Kane.
