He married me for revenge

chapter four Vanessa is hiding something

An hour later the glass doors of Knight Group slid open. Employees immediately recognized her. "Mrs. Knight..."

She ignored them. "Where's Adrian?"

"The president is in a meeting."

"I don't care." She marched straight toward the executive elevator.

The receptionist stepped in front of her. "I'm sorry, ma'am, you can't—"

"I said move."

The woman hesitated then stepped aside.

---

The boardroom doors burst open . Every executive turned Adrian didn't. He calmly finished reading the report in his hands.

Only then did he lift his eyes. "What an unexpected surprise."

Valeria threw the resignation letter onto the polished table. "You forged my signature."

The room fell silent. Several directors exchanged uneasy glances.Adrian leaned back in his chair.

"I signed what needed to be signed."

"You destroyed my career."

"You have no future."he sneered " Your future belongs to me "

"My work mattered to me!"

"So?"

The single word stunned her. "So? I spent ten years building that career! And now it's over. You had no right!"

He slowly stood. "Leave the room."

The directors needed no second invitation. Within seconds, they were alone.

Valeria stared at him. "I hate you."

He walked around the table until they stood face to face. "Not as much as I hate you dear wife . This are the consequences of your wickedness"

She laughed bitterly. "You really believe I killed Ethan."

"I know you did."

"You know nothing!" She jabbed a finger against his chest. "You've never even investigated what happened. You found a letter with one initial and decided I was guilty."

His expression hardened. "I investigated enough."

"No. You believed what you wanted to believe just because I was friends with your brother".

Then Adrian smiled. "You'll get over losing your job. you'll have someone else to keep you company."

Valeria frowned. "What do you mean?"

He walked past her toward the door. Without looking back, he said, "I invited your sister to move into the mansion."

Valeria froze. "...Vanessa?"

Adrian opened the door. "She arrives this afternoon."

Then he left leaving Valeria standing alone With a sinking feeling that whatever Adrian had planned It was only just beginning.

Valeria reached the mansion just before noon. She barely had time to step inside before she heard laughter.

A woman's familiar laughter. Her heart sank. She followed the sound into the living room . There, standing beside Adrian, was her younger sister.

Vanessa Ashford. The moment Vanessa saw her, her face lit up. "Sis!"

She hurried over and wrapped her arms around Valeria. "I've missed you so much."

Valeria hugged her back automatically, but her eyes never left Adrian. "What are you doing here?"

Vanessa smiled. "Adrian invited me."

"I know. "But why?"

Before Vanessa could answer, Adrian spoke. "Because I wanted you to have company."

His tone was perfectly calm as though nothing about this was strange.

Valeria frowned. "We don't need company. We're newly married."

A faint smile tugged at Adrian's lips. "Are we?"

The question hung in the air. Vanessa looked between them.

"...Am I interrupting something?"

"No," Adrian answered before Valeria could speak. "You're exactly where I want you."

A chill crept down Valeria's spine.

The butler entered. "Sir, Miss Ashford's luggage has arrived."

Adrian nodded. "Take it to the room beside mine."

Valeria's head snapped toward him. "The room beside yours?"

"Yes."

She stared at him. "Our bedroom is on the other side of the hall."

"I'm aware."

"So why is Vanessa staying beside you?"

He met her gaze. "Because I want her there ".

The words landed like a slap.

Vanessa shifted awkwardly. "Sis... if this makes you uncomfortable, I can stay at a hotel."

Before Valeria could answer, Adrian said, "No."

His voice was firm.

"You're staying here."

He took Vanessa's suitcase from the butler himself . "I'll show you your room."

Valeria watched him carry her sister's luggage upstairs. Halfway up the staircase, Adrian stopped.

Without turning around, he said, "Be ready by seven."

Valeria frowned. "For what?"

"Dinner." He glanced at Vanessa.n"I'd like the two sisters to catch up."

Then his eyes returned to Valeria. "So you'll be cooking."

He disappeared upstairs. The silence that followed felt suffocating.

Vanessa slowly turned back to her sister.

For the first time since arriving the cheerful smile slipped from her face.

She lowered her voice. "What happened between you and Adrian?"

Valeria looked toward the staircaseThen back at her sister. "He thinks I drove Ethan to suicide."

Vanessa's face went completely white. "...What?"

"He found Ethan's suicide letter. It was addressed to 'V.' And now he believes that 'V' is me."

Vanessa's lips parted, but no words came out..Valeria stepped closer. "I told him your name also starts with V.n"I told him maybe Ethan meant you."

Vanessa's eyes widened. "You... told him about me?"

"I had to. It was the only explanation."

For several long seconds, Vanessa simply stared at her.

Then she forced a laugh. "That's ridiculous.I barely knew Ethan."

Valeria searched her sister's face. "You did know him. "I saw you together."

Vanessa looked away. "You're imagining things."She picked up her handbag."I'm tired. We'll talk later."

She hurried upstairs. Valeria watched her go. Vanessa hadn't denied knowing Ethan. Valeria wondered if her sister was hiding something.