Chapter 7 - The Glass of Bourbon
Eleanor spent the following morning trying to prevent a disaster without revealing herself too soon.
She informed Margaret about the covered camera and Vanessa's words.
Margaret contacted an independent security specialist and advised Eleanor to leave the house.
Eleanor refused.
“Ethan is still there.”
“Eleanor, your presence won't help if you become a victim too.”
“Then help me create a record.”
They agreed on a lawful plan.
Eleanor would not tamper with anything or confront Vanessa alone.
She would preserve what she had personally observed and call for immediate medical help if Ethan appeared endangered.
Margaret would remain nearby with a licensed security professional.
Claire would try to persuade Ethan to meet her at the office before the rehearsal.
But Ethan canceled.
At noon, Claire called Eleanor.
“He says he's exhausted.”
“Did he sound ill?”
“Yes.”
“Did you tell him why you wanted to meet?”
“I tried. Vanessa took the phone.”
Eleanor closed her eyes.
“What did she say?”
“That Ethan needed rest and I should stop bothering him.”
By late afternoon, the mansion had filled with florists, caterers, musicians, and wedding staff.
Vanessa moved through the rooms wearing a cream silk blouse and tailored trousers, issuing orders with increasing impatience.
A florist placed white roses beside the staircase.
Vanessa examined them.
“These are ivory.”
“They're the variety you approved, Miss Carlisle.”
“I asked for white.”
“They appear white under the lighting.”
Vanessa swept the arrangement off the table.
Flowers scattered across the floor.
“Do they look white now?”
The florist stood frozen.
Eleanor knelt to gather the roses.
Vanessa looked down at her.
“Leave them.”
Eleanor continued.
“I don't want anyone to slip.”
Vanessa's voice sharpened.
“I said leave them.”
Eleanor rose slowly.
For a moment, their eyes met.
Something changed in Vanessa's expression.
Recognition.
Not complete recognition.
But suspicion.
“You have very familiar eyes,” Vanessa said.
Eleanor lowered her gaze.
“People often tell me that.”
“Have you worked for my family before?”
“No, miss.”
Vanessa stepped closer.
“Take off your glasses.”
Eleanor's heartbeat quickened.
“I'm sorry?”
“Your glasses.”
Before Eleanor could respond, Ethan appeared at the top of the stairs.
“Vanessa?”
She turned instantly.
“Darling!”
Ethan descended slowly, one hand gripping the railing.
He looked worse than he had that morning.
His skin was pale.
His eyes struggled to focus.
Eleanor moved toward him.
“Mr. Ethan, would you like some water?”
He smiled faintly.
“Thank you, Nora.”
Vanessa intercepted the glass.
“I'll take care of him.”
She guided Ethan into the sitting room.
Eleanor watched them go.
The danger was no longer theoretical.
At seven, Margaret called.
“Eleanor, we have a development.”
“Tell me.”
“Corporate security confirmed someone attempted to access the succession trust's administrative controls using Ethan's credentials.”
“Was anything changed?”
“No. The request was blocked by the independent trustee approval requirement.”
“From where?”
“His home network.”
Eleanor looked toward the sitting room.
“Vanessa.”
“We still can't attribute the action to a specific person.”
“Then what can we prove?”
“An attempted unauthorized action. And we have a second concern.”
“What?”
“Richard Calder is scheduled to attend tomorrow's rehearsal dinner.”
Eleanor gripped the phone.
“Under what name?”
“As a guest of Vanessa's father.”
Eleanor frowned.
“Her father?”
“Apparently, Calder and the Carlisle family have a longstanding relationship.”
“Why didn't we find that earlier?”
“Because Vanessa's father's name doesn't appear in the current corporate filings.”
Eleanor waited.
Margaret's voice grew quieter.
“Eleanor, Vanessa's legal surname was changed when she was nineteen.”
“From what?”
“Calder.”
Eleanor felt the room tilt.
“She's Richard Calder's daughter?”
“Yes.”
The silence stretched.
Twenty-four years earlier, Calder had threatened to destroy Eleanor through someone she loved.
Now his daughter was preparing to marry Eleanor's only son.
The entire relationship might have been engineered.
Eleanor closed her eyes.
“Margaret, get Ethan out of this house.”
“We're arranging a direct conversation with him.”
“Now.”
“I'll try.”
But before Margaret could finish, Eleanor heard footsteps behind her.
Vanessa stood in the doorway.
“Who are you talking to, Nora?”
Eleanor slipped the phone into her pocket.
“My sister, miss.”
Vanessa's eyes narrowed.
“I didn't know you had a sister.”
“She's unwell.”
“How unfortunate.”
Vanessa moved closer.
“Tomorrow is an important day. I don't want distractions.”
“Yes, miss.”
“And stay away from Ethan's drinks.”
Eleanor felt a chill.
“Of course.”
Vanessa smiled.
“I'll be taking care of those myself.”
At ten, Ethan retired to his study.
He had refused dinner.
Vanessa told the staff not to disturb him.
At eleven thirty, Eleanor saw her carry a bottle of bourbon and two crystal glasses into the sitting room.
Eleanor entered the pantry.
The door stood slightly open.
She could see the bar.
Vanessa placed one glass on the counter.
She checked her phone.
Then she opened a small container.
At 11:47, she crushed a pill between two folded pieces of paper and tipped the powder into Ethan's bourbon.
Eleanor's heart hammered.
Vanessa stirred the drink.
Then she whispered into her phone.
“It's done.”
A man's voice answered.
“Good. Make sure he signs before morning.”
Vanessa smiled.
“He won't even remember the conversation.”
Eleanor took one step forward.
A floorboard creaked.
Vanessa turned.
Their eyes met through the pantry doorway.
For one long second, neither woman moved.
Then Vanessa smiled.
“Nora,” she said softly. “Come here.”
Eleanor remained still.
May you like
Vanessa picked up the bourbon.
“Be a dear and take this to my fiancé.”
