Chapter 3: The Money That Disappeared
Marcus stared at Vanessa's phone.
“What money?””
Vanessa tilted the screen toward him.
“Your mother's savings. The account she told you she barely touched.””
Evelyn gripped the armrests.
“Vanessa, please don't.””
Marcus immediately turned toward his mother.
“Mom, what is she talking about?””
Evelyn looked down.
“I don't want to discuss this in front of everyone.””
Vanessa laughed.
“Oh, now she doesn't want to discuss it?””
Marcus stepped toward his wife.
“Stop playing games. Tell me what happened.””
Vanessa unlocked her phone and opened a photograph of a bank statement.
“Your mother had a savings account at First National Bank. She told me she had around $42,000 left from the money your father saved before he died.””
Marcus nodded slowly.
“I know about that account.””
“Well, it's almost empty.””
The words seemed to drain the air from the room.
Marcus looked at Evelyn.
“Mom, is that true?””
Evelyn's hands trembled.
“I checked it last month. There was less money than I expected.””
“How much?””
She hesitated.
“About six thousand dollars.””
Marcus stared at her.
“What happened to the other thirty-six thousand?””
Evelyn shook her head.
“I don't know.””
Vanessa folded her arms.
“That's convenient.””
Marcus turned sharply.
“Why do you have her bank statement?””
Vanessa shrugged.
“Because I've been helping her manage her finances.””
“Since when?””
“Last year.””
Evelyn looked up.
“You said you were helping me pay my medical bills.””
“And I did!””
Marcus stepped between them.
“Mom, did you give Vanessa access to your bank account?””
Evelyn nodded reluctantly.
“She said she could help me pay the bills online. I don't understand all the banking applications. She offered to take care of it.””
Marcus's expression darkened.
“Did you give her your password?””
“Yes.””
Vanessa interrupted.
“See? She trusted me. I didn't steal anything.””
Marcus held out his hand.
“Show me the transaction history.””
Vanessa pulled her phone closer to her chest.
“Why?””
“Because I asked.””
“I'm your wife, Marcus. You don't get to interrogate me like a criminal.””
“Then you shouldn't have brought up my mother's missing money.””
Gloria stepped forward.
“This is getting out of control. Vanessa has done nothing but help this family.””
Marcus looked at her.
“Then she shouldn't have a problem showing me the records.””
Vanessa hesitated.
Finally, she opened the transaction history.
Marcus took the phone.
At first, the transactions seemed ordinary.
Small grocery payments.
Pharmacy purchases.
Utility bills.
Then he saw several withdrawals.
$3,000.
$5,500.
$8,000.
All transferred to an account with a name he didn't recognize.
“Who is Daniel Reed?””
Vanessa snatched the phone back.
“It's a family friend.””
Marcus frowned.
“Why is my mother's money going to a family friend?””
“It's complicated.””
“Then explain it.””
Gloria suddenly spoke.
“Daniel helped us with some investments.””
Marcus turned toward her.
“Us?””
Gloria's expression changed.
Vanessa shot her mother a warning look.
But it was too late.
Marcus had heard her.
He looked at Gloria.
“What investments?””
Gloria swallowed.
“It's none of your business.””
“Thirty-six thousand dollars disappeared from my mother's savings account. If you know where it went, it is absolutely my business.””
Vanessa threw her phone onto the sofa.
“Enough! I'm not going to sit here and let you treat me like a thief!””
Marcus's voice dropped.
“Then tell me where the money is.””
Vanessa looked toward her mother.
Gloria avoided her eyes.
That small movement told Marcus more than either woman wanted him to know.
He took out his own phone.
“I'm calling the bank.””
Vanessa rushed toward him.
“Don't you dare!””
Marcus stepped back.
“Why? What's going to happen if I call?””
“You'll embarrass the entire family!””
“I'm not worried about embarrassment.””
He dialed the bank's customer service number and put the phone on speaker.
After verifying Evelyn's identity with her permission, he asked about the account's recent activity.
The representative explained that several transfers had been made to an external account.
Evelyn listened silently.
Then the representative added something that made Marcus's stomach tighten.
“One moment, sir. There is also a recent change to the account's contact information.””
Marcus frowned.
“What change?””
“The recovery email address and phone number were updated approximately eight months ago.””
“Who changed them?””
“The change was completed through the online banking portal.””
Marcus looked at Vanessa.
“Whose email address was added?””
The representative read it aloud.
Marcus recognized it immediately.
It belonged to Vanessa.
Evelyn covered her mouth.
“Oh, my goodness.””
Vanessa grabbed her handbag.
“I'm leaving.””
Marcus raised his hand.
“Not yet.””
“Move!””
“Not until you explain why my mother's bank account was connected to your email.””
Vanessa's eyes flashed.
“Because she asked me to help her!””
“Then why did you transfer her savings into an account she doesn't recognize?””
Gloria suddenly stepped forward.
“Marcus, listen. The money wasn't stolen. It was temporarily moved.””
“Moved where?””
Gloria looked at Vanessa.
Vanessa shook her head.
But Gloria was already speaking.
“We used it to help with the deposit on my new condominium.””
Silence.
Marcus slowly turned toward her.
“Your condominium?””
Gloria's face tightened.
Vanessa closed her eyes.
Marcus looked from one woman to the other.
“You bought a condominium with my mother's money?””
Gloria raised her chin.
“Your mother has lived comfortably here for years. We thought it was fair that the family helped us too.””
Evelyn stared at her.
“I gave you that money?””
Gloria hesitated.
“You didn't give it directly to me.””
“Then how did you get it?””
Vanessa interrupted.
“Mom, stop talking!””
Marcus looked at his wife.
“Did you transfer the money to Gloria?””
Vanessa said nothing.
He didn't need another answer.
He turned toward his mother.
“Mom, we're going to the bank tomorrow. We'll get every transaction, every transfer, and every document.””
Evelyn nodded, tears running down her cheeks.
“I trusted her, Marcus.””
He knelt beside her.
“I know. And I'm sorry I didn't see what was happening.””
Vanessa suddenly laughed.
“You think you can just accuse me and take everything away? I live here too!””
Marcus stood.
“Your name isn't on the deed.””
“We're married!””
“And my mother has a legal right to remain here. You knew that.””
Vanessa's face twisted with anger.
“You're choosing her over me?””
Marcus looked at the scattered clothes on the floor.
Then at his mother's trembling hands.
“No. I'm choosing what's right over what's convenient.””
Gloria grabbed Vanessa's arm.
“Come on. We're leaving before he calls the police.””
Vanessa pulled away.
“You're not getting away with this, Marcus!””
She stormed toward the staircase.
But halfway up, she stopped.
“By the way, Marcus,” she said, turning around.
“There's something else you should know.””
He looked up.
Vanessa's expression had become strangely calm.
“The money from your mother's account wasn't the only money transferred to Daniel Reed.””
Marcus frowned.
“What are you talking about?””
Vanessa smiled bitterly.
“Check your business account. The one you use for your construction company.””
Marcus went still.
“That account has nothing to do with this.””
Vanessa took one final step toward the stairs.
“Are you sure?””
Then she disappeared upstairs.
Marcus immediately opened his banking application.
His eyes moved down the transaction list.
And then he saw it.
A transfer of $75,000.
Authorized using his own business account.
But the date was impossible.
Because on that date, Marcus had been in another state.
And he had never authorized the payment.
His phone suddenly vibrated.
May you like
An incoming message appeared from an unknown number.
*"Marcus, stop investigating your wife. If you want to know where the money really went, meet me tomorrow. Come alone. I have proof that Vanessa and Gloria have been lying to you for much longer than you think.""*
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