Chapter 7 - Savannah's Envelope.
Savannah refused to return to her apartment after learning that Miles had photographed her medical office.
Vivian arranged for her to stay in a secure hotel suite, a decision that surprised both women.
The night before, they had stood on opposite sides of a ballroom table.
Now they sat across from each other over untouched tea.
"You don't have to be kind to me," Savannah said.
Vivian held her gaze.
"I'm not doing this because I'm kind."
Savannah gave a tired nod.
"Fair."
After several minutes, Savannah reached into her handbag and removed a sealed envelope.
Grant had given it to her three weeks earlier and told her to open it only if something happened to him.
"He said it contained proof that you were trying to destroy him."
Daniel opened the envelope carefully.
Inside was a partial medical letter concerning Vivian's father near the end of his life.
The first page mentioned medication and dizziness.
The missing second page stated clearly that he remained mentally competent.
Grant had kept only the part useful to him.
The envelope also contained a draft petition arguing that Vivian's father's final trust changes should be invalidated.
If the later amendment disappeared, an older clause could give Grant temporary authority over the trust during a claim of Vivian's incapacity.
Vivian finally saw the larger design.
The suspicious transfers could remove money while also making her appear reckless.
The rumors about her grief could make her appear unstable.
Savannah could be used to provoke public conflict.
Grant had not been preparing for a divorce.
He had been preparing for control.
Savannah covered her mouth.
"He told me you were hiding money from him."
Vivian answered quietly.
"He was hiding my money from me."
A small receipt was folded at the bottom of the envelope.
It came from a jeweler two states away and listed a custom clasp modification four days before the gala.
Vivian's original bracelet already had a damaged clasp.
Daniel contacted the jeweler.
The customer had brought only the clasp assembly and requested a microscopic compartment behind the hinge.
Investigators reexamined the bracelet.
Hidden behind the clasp was a tiny memory card.
Savannah stared at the photograph from the forensic lab.
"Grant told me never to take the bracelet off."
The card contained one encrypted audio file.
Its filename used Vivian's father's initials and the date of the night before he died.
When technicians opened the recording, three voices filled the room.
One belonged to Grant.
One belonged to Vivian's father.
The third belonged to Miles.
Grant was discussing a new digital authorization he expected Vivian to sign without reading because it would resemble routine foundation paperwork.
Miles warned that too many forged records would eventually expose them.
Vivian's father interrupted.
He told both men that he had copied their communications.
The recording ended with a chair scraping across the floor.
There was no explanation of what happened afterward.
Then Daniel replayed a sentence from Grant near the beginning.
"Once Vivian signs, none of them can stop us."
Savannah lowered her eyes.
Vivian felt no triumph.
Someone had hidden that recording inside the bracelet only days before the gala.
May you like
Her father could not have done it.
Whoever placed it there had wanted the diamonds to speak now.
