"There it is."
"What?"
"That expression."
"I have no idea what you mean."
"Of course you do." Amusement sparkled briefly in her eyes. "You do not like Charles very much."
Nathaniel looked away. "That is not true."
"Alex..."
"Fine." He exhaled slowly. "Perhaps slightly."
Genevieve's smile widened. "Why?"
Unfortunately, he knew exactly why. "No reason."
"That is clearly not true."
Nathaniel stood before the conversation became even more dangerous. Genevieve laughed quietly as he walked away; the sound followed him across the garden. For the first time in days, she sounded genuinely happy.
The following morning brought another breakthrough. Charles arrived carrying a sealed envelope obtained from county records, excitement radiating from him. "We found the final authorization chain!"
Genevieve immediately abandoned her breakfast. "Show me!"
Nathaniel joined them moments later. Together, they spread the documents across the dining room table. Several names appeared; most meant little.
Then Genevieve froze. Complete silence followed.
Charles noticed first. "What is it?"
Genevieve stared at the page, her face drained of color. "This signature..."
Nathaniel stepped closer. The name hit him immediately—not because it surprised him, but because it confirmed his fears: Edward Sinclair, Victoria's late father, Genevieve's uncle, the man who had overseen estate financial operations during the period leading up to the bridge collapse.
Charles slowly lowered himself into a chair. "Good Lord."
Genevieve remained motionless. "No." The word emerged almost as a whisper.
Nathaniel wished he could disagree; he could not: multiple authorizations carried the same signature; multiple fund transfers connected directly to Sinclair's office. The evidence was becoming overwhelming.
"There must be another explanation," Genevieve said quietly. Yet even she sounded unconvinced.