HER STEPMOTHER DESTROYED HER VIOLIN TO STEAL HER FUTURE—BUT THE BACKSTAGE CAMERA CAUGHT EVERYTHING

Vanessa couldn't hear anything except the pounding of her heart.

Her father had paid the mechanic.

The same father who had promised to protect her.

The same father who had stood beside her at the funeral and told her that her mother had died in an unfortunate accident.

She looked at Daniel.

“Tell me she's wrong.””

Daniel didn't move.

“Dad?””

Margaret placed her phone on the piano.

“The police haven't established whether the payment was connected to the accident. Thomas Reed has made an allegation, not a verified confession from everyone involved.””

Vanessa barely heard her.

“Did you pay him?””

Daniel looked at his daughter.

Then he lowered his head.

“Yes.””

The word was barely audible.

Vanessa stepped backward.

“Why?””

Daniel covered his face.

“Not for what you think.””

“You paid someone who worked on Mom's car!””

“I know.””

“You knew she was in danger?””

Daniel shook his head desperately.

“I never wanted her hurt.””

“Then why did you do it?””

He stood and walked toward the window.

“Seven years ago, your mother discovered that Jonathan had been stealing money from the foundation. She also found evidence that some of the invoices were being approved through a company registered under my name.””

Vanessa's voice trembled.

“So?””

“Jonathan threatened to destroy me. He said he'd make it look like I was responsible for everything. He had copies of financial records, emails, and signatures.””

Margaret interrupted.

“But that doesn't explain the payment.””

Daniel nodded.

“Thomas approached me. He said he could provide documents proving Jonathan had falsified the inspection records. He asked me for money to obtain them.””

Vanessa stared at him.

“How much?””

“Fifteen thousand dollars.””

“And you gave it to him?””

“Yes.””

“Why didn't you tell the police?””

Daniel's eyes filled.

“Because I was terrified.””

Vanessa laughed once, bitterly.

“You were terrified? Mom was the one in danger!””

“I know.””

“You let me believe she died in an accident.””

“I know.””

“You let me grow up thinking she was gone because of bad luck!””

Daniel's voice broke.

“I was trying to protect you.””

Vanessa shook her head.

“Stop saying that!””

The room fell silent.

She walked toward the staircase.

“Vanessa, please.””

She turned.

“Did you know Jonathan was involved?””

Daniel hesitated.

“I suspected it.””

“And Tiana?””

“I didn't know about her connection to Jonathan until recently.””

Vanessa stared at him.

“You knew enough to be suspicious, but you married her anyway.””

Daniel couldn't answer.

Vanessa climbed the stairs.

She needed to be alone.

In her bedroom, she closed the door and sat on the floor beside her bed.

Her phone vibrated.

A message from Mrs. Collins appeared.

Vanessa, the competition committee has reviewed the evidence. Your performance remains valid, and the complaint against you has been dismissed. They're waiting for the final judges' decision.

Vanessa stared at the message.

She had nearly forgotten about the competition.

She typed a short reply.

Thank you. I'll call you later.

Then another message arrived.

This one came from an unknown number.

Your father is lying about the fifteen thousand dollars. Ask him what he received in return.

Vanessa's fingers went cold.

She showed the message to Margaret when she came upstairs.

Margaret read it twice.

“Don't respond.””

“Who keeps sending these?””

“I don't know. But we need to find out.””

“Could it be Jonathan?””

“Possibly. It could also be someone trying to make you distrust your father.””

Vanessa looked at her.

“Isn't there already enough reason?””

Margaret sat beside her.

“I won't ask you to forgive Daniel. But I want you to understand that an accusation and a proven crime are not the same thing.””

Vanessa looked toward the window.

“Then I want proof.””

Margaret nodded.

“That's exactly what we'll seek.””

Downstairs, Daniel was speaking with the police.

One officer explained that Thomas Reed would be questioned under caution and that the payment records would be examined.

Daniel handed over his bank statements.

He didn't resist.

He didn't make excuses.

For once, he seemed willing to face the consequences.

An hour later, Margaret received a call from the police investigator.

She listened carefully.

Then she looked toward Vanessa.

“Thomas has provided the bank account number that received the money.””

Vanessa stood.

“Whose account?””

Margaret turned the phone screen around.

The transfer hadn't gone directly to Thomas.

It had gone to a company called Northbridge Consulting.

Vanessa recognized the name.

It appeared on one of the documents in her mother's wooden box.

“That's Jonathan's company.””

Margaret nodded.

“And there's something else. The payment was made two days after your mother discovered the fraudulent foundation invoices.””

Daniel came into the room.

He looked at the screen.

“That's not possible.””

Margaret turned toward him.

“Did you transfer the money through Northbridge?””

“No.””

“Then how did it leave your account?””

Daniel stared at the transaction.

His face changed.

“This account was managed by Jonathan.””

Vanessa felt her stomach twist.

“So Jonathan used your money to pay the mechanic?””

Daniel nodded slowly.

“But he did it under my name.””

Margaret looked at the investigator's message again.

“Thomas also claims that the payment was not for damaging the vehicle. He says he was paid to remove a safety report and alter the inspection history.””

Vanessa frowned.

“Then what happened to Mom's brakes?””

“That remains under investigation,” Margaret replied.

Daniel sat down.

“I never ordered anyone to touch her car.””

Vanessa looked at him.

For the first time, she saw a possibility that frightened her almost as much as the accusation itself.

Perhaps her father hadn't caused her mother's death.

Perhaps someone had used his name to make it appear that way.

But who?

Her phone rang.

The screen displayed Brielle's name.