The Daring Billionaire's Cohort

Chapter3

Silence spread across the ballroom again .

Champagne dripped slowly from the edge of the tablecloth and fell onto the marble floor .

Guests looked confused . Some exchanged quiet whispers . Others assumed the bride simply felt nervous during the ceremony .

But Elena saw the truth in Clara’s face .

Pure fear .

Daniel frowned and reached for a napkin .

“Clara , what is wrong with you tonight ?”

His voice remained gentle , but frustration hid beneath the calm tone .

Clara quickly locked her phone screen and forced a smile .

“Nothing . I am sorry . My hands keep shaking .”

Daniel studied her carefully .

“You look pale .”

“I am fine .”

Several photographers continued taking pictures while guests laughed awkwardly to ease the tension .

Elena stepped closer .

“Maybe she needs a minute again .”

Daniel hesitated .

“We have already paused the celebration once .”

Clara placed a hand over his .

“It will only take a moment .”

Daniel looked around at the watching guests before nodding slowly .

“Alright .”

Clara moved away from the table and Elena followed her immediately . They walked toward the same hallway beside the ballroom . The music started again behind them while guests returned to conversation .

The moment the doors closed Clara grabbed Elena’s arm tightly .

“Elena , listen carefully .”

Her voice shook .

“Show me the message .”

Clara unlocked the phone again and held the screen toward her sister . Elena read the words slowly .

‘I told you to stop .

You should not have copied the files .’

Elena felt her stomach tighten .

“He knows .”

Clara nodded .

“Yes .”

“Did you reply ?”

“No .”

“Did the number appear again ?”

Clara scrolled the screen .

“It is the same number from earlier .”

Elena thought for a moment .

“Someone has been watching you since before the wedding .”

Clara’s fingers trembled .

“I think they saw me copying the records .”

Elena lowered her voice .

“Then whoever runs those transfers knows you have proof .”

Clara closed her eyes briefly .

“What should I do ?”

Elena crossed her arms .

“The safest option is obvious .”

“You want me to go to the police .”

“Yes .”

Clara shook her head immediately .

“Elena , you do not understand how powerful the Vale board is .”

“I understand enough to know someone just threatened you .”

Clara paced slowly across the hallway .

“If this turns into a public investigation it will destroy Daniel’s family reputation .”

Elena stared at her .

“You are worried about their reputation while someone sends you threats ?”

Clara stopped walking .

“I married Daniel today .”

“And ?”

“That means I am part of this family now .”

Elena felt anger rise in her chest .

“That does not mean you sacrifice your safety for them .”

Clara looked conflicted .

“You did not see Daniel’s face when I asked about the transfers earlier this week .”

“What do you mean ?”

“He looked confused .”

“So ?”

“I believe he truly does not know about those accounts .”

Elena frowned .

“You think the fraud happens without him knowing ?”

“Yes .”

“Then exposing it would protect him .”

Clara sighed deeply .

“It would also destroy the company overnight .”

Elena stepped closer .

“Clara , someone inside that company already crossed a line . Threatening you proves it .”

Clara looked at the message again .

“What if they only want to scare me ?”

Elena spoke firmly .

“No . That message means they know you have evidence .”

Clara’s voice dropped to a whisper .

“Which means they might try to take it back .”

The flash drive inside Elena’s purse suddenly felt heavier than before . A soft sound echoed at the end of the hallway .

Footsteps .

Both sisters turned .

Adrian Vale stood near the corridor entrance again . He had not approached them yet, he simply stood watching quietly .

Elena felt tension move through her shoulders .

Had he heard their conversation ?

Adrian walked toward them with calm steps .

“The celebration continues without the bride again .”

Clara straightened immediately .

“I apologize .”

Adrian’s gaze moved between their faces .

“You look troubled .”

Clara forced another polite smile .

“It has been a long day .”

Adrian studied her expression carefully .

“You dropped two glasses tonight .”

Clara laughed softly .

“I suppose I am clumsier than usual .”

Adrian did not laugh . His eyes shifted toward Elena for a brief moment .

Then back to Clara .

“Daniel is asking for you .”

Clara nodded quickly .

“I will return now .”

She started walking toward the ballroom doors . Adrian stepped aside to let her pass . Elena remained where she stood .

Adrian looked at her again .

“You appear worried .”

Elena met his gaze calmly .

“My sister looks exhausted .”

Adrian’s voice remained even .

“Something else seems to trouble her .”

Elena hesitated before answering .

“Perhaps the attention of marrying into your family feels overwhelming .”

Adrian’s expression changed slightly .

“You believe our family creates pressure ?”

“I believe power always creates pressure .”

Adrian studied her face for several seconds .

Then he nodded slightly .

“A fair observation .”

Elena turned toward the ballroom .

“I should return before people start asking questions again .”

She walked past him without waiting for a response .

Inside the ballroom the celebration resumed with full energy . Guests laughed and danced while waiters delivered fresh drinks to every table .

Clara stood beside Daniel greeting a group of business partners .

Her smile looked convincing from a distance .

But Elena noticed the way her fingers gripped the edge of the table .

Too tightly .

Daniel wrapped an arm around Clara’s shoulders and whispered something to her . She nodded politely .

A waiter approached Elena with another tray of champagne but this time she accepted a glass simply to avoid attention .

Across the room Adrian Vale stood near the tall windows again . His gaze moved across the crowd slowly .

Observant .

Elena wondered if he had noticed Clara’s fear earlier , the thought made her uneasy . Music shifted into a faster rhythm as more guests joined the dance floor . The celebration continued for nearly another hour .

Gradually the tension in the room faded as people focused on food , music , and conversation .

Yet Elena never stopped watching her sister .

At one point Clara stepped away from the crowd and walked toward the balcony doors .

Elena followed immediately .

Cool evening air greeted them outside .

The city skyline stretched across the distance while lights from passing cars moved along the streets below .

Clara leaned against the railing and released a deep breath .

“I needed quiet for a moment .”

Elena stepped beside her .

“You look like you have not breathed all evening .”

Clara gave a weak smile .

“I probably have not .”

Elena lowered her voice .

“Did he send another message ?”

“No .”

“That does not mean he will not .”

Clara looked down at the city lights .

“I keep wondering who it is .”

“Elena .”

Clara spoke softly .

“What if the person behind those transfers belongs to the Vale board ?”

Elena crossed her arms .

“That seems likely .”

“Then reporting it would start a war inside Daniel’s family .”

Elena answered quickly .

“Better a war than a murder .”

Clara turned toward her sharply .

“Murder ?”

“Yes .”

“Elena , nobody has threatened my life .”

“Not yet .”

Clara looked away again .

“You always imagine the worst outcomes .”

Elena spoke quietly .

“Because ignoring danger rarely ends well .”

For a moment neither of them spoke . Wind moved gently across the balcony . Music drifted faintly from the ballroom behind them .

Clara suddenly reached into her purse again .

“I forgot something earlier .”

She pulled out a small folded paper .

“What is that ?” Elena asked .

“I found it this morning in my office .”

Elena opened the paper carefully . Only three words appeared inside .

‘Stop asking questions .’

Elena’s pulse quickened .

“You received this before the wedding ?”

“Yes .”

“And you still came here smiling like everything was normal ?”

Clara laughed nervously .

“What else should I do ? Cancel the wedding ?”

Elena closed the paper slowly .

“Someone clearly wanted to scare you .”

Clara leaned against the railing again .

“I thought it might be a prank .”

Elena shook her head .

“Not after tonight .”

The balcony doors opened suddenly . Both sisters turned . Daniel stepped outside .

“There you are .”

He looked relaxed but curious .

“Guests are beginning to ask where the bride disappeared again .”

Clara smiled softly .

“I needed fresh air .”

Daniel approached and placed a hand around her waist .

“You should rest soon .”

“I will .”

Daniel looked toward Elena .

“Thank you for keeping her company tonight .”

Elena nodded politely .

“Of course .”

Daniel guided Clara back toward the ballroom .

“Come inside . The last dance begins soon .”

Clara gave Elena a quick glance before walking back inside . Something in that look unsettled Elena .

Almost like a silent warning . Elena followed them into the ballroom . Guests gathered near the center floor again for the final dance of the evening .

The music slowed into a romantic melody .

Clara and Daniel stepped onto the floor while guests circled around them .

Elena stood near the back of the crowd . Her mind remained focused on the threatening messages .

Someone inside the company knew Clara copied the files .

Which meant they might try to recover the evidence . Her hand moved slowly toward her purse .

The flash drive remained inside .

Safe .

For now .

Across the room Adrian Vale still stood near the windows . His gaze moved briefly toward Elena .

Then toward Clara dancing with Daniel .

For a moment his expression hardened slightly .

As if he noticed something others did not .

The music ended . Guests applauded loudly .

Daniel kissed Clara again while photographers captured the moment . The celebration slowly began to wind down as guests prepared to leave .

Elena stepped toward the exit doors .

She planned to wait for Clara outside before returning home .

But before she reached the door someone spoke behind her .

“Miss Hart .”

She turned .

Adrian Vale stood a few steps away .

“Yes ?”

“You are leaving already ?”

“I will wait for my sister outside .”

Adrian studied her face again .

“You did appear troubled tonight .”

Elena forced a small smile .

“It has been an unusual evening .”

Adrian nodded slowly .

“Yes . It has .”

He hesitated for a moment before speaking again .

“If you ever feel something threatens your sister , you should tell me .”

Elena raised an eyebrow .

“And why would I do that ?”

Adrian’s voice remained calm .

“Because sometimes danger appears closer than people expect .”

Elena studied him carefully .

“What do you mean by that ?”

Adrian looked toward the ballroom where Clara stood speaking with several guests .

“I mean that powerful families often attract enemies .”

Before Elena could respond a waiter approached Adrian and whispered something quietly . Adrian’s expression changed instantly .

“What happened ?” , Elena asked .

Adrian looked toward the hallway leading to the parking area .

“Someone reported a suspicious vehicle outside the hotel .”

Elena felt her pulse quicken .“A suspicious vehicle ?”

Adrian nodded .

“Black sedan . Parked across the street for over an hour .”

Elena’s mind flashed back to Clara’s earlier words .

The man near the bar, the threatening messages .

Clara knowing someone watched her .

Adrian continued speaking with the waiter . Elena turned slowly toward the large windows beside the ballroom .

Across the street , under the dim glow of a streetlight , a black car waited silently . The engine remained running .

And inside the car , a shadowed figure sat watching the hotel entrance .