Chapter 1 - THE PHOTOGRAPH THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
The photograph was twenty-three years old.
But the fear on Alexandre de Valmont's face was happening right now.
Elodie Martin stood in the deserted west wing of the Valmont mansion, staring at the faded image of Catherine de Valmont beside her father. Behind them stood the printing shop where Elodie had spent her childhood, its familiar blue sign hanging above the entrance.
Her father looked younger in the photograph.
Healthier.
And far more frightened than she had ever seen him.
"Where did you get this?"
Alexandre hesitated.
"From my grandfather's private archive."
"Your grandfather is alive?"
"Yes."
"Then where is he?"
Alexandre looked toward the hallway.
"Somewhere my mother doesn't want you to find him."
Elodie felt a chill travel down her spine.
For three months, she had believed she was preparing to marry a dying millionaire. She had endured humiliating meetings, invasive medical examinations disguised as routine wedding preparations, and endless lectures about loyalty to the Valmont family.
Now she was standing in front of the young man who had pretended to be her future husband.
And he was telling her that the real Henri de Valmont had been hidden away.
"Why should I believe anything you say?"
"You shouldn't."
The answer surprised her.
Alexandre removed the last piece of adhesive from his jaw and dropped the disguise onto the table.
"I lied to you. I helped my mother deceive you. I stood in that chair three times while you talked about your father's illness and the sacrifices you were willing to make."
His voice tightened.
"And I did nothing."
"Then why are you helping me now?"
For the first time, Alexandre looked genuinely ashamed.
"Because I know what happens to people who sign documents my mother doesn't want them to understand."
Elodie waited.
Alexandre opened a drawer and removed a small silver bracelet.
A woman's name was engraved on the inside.
ISABELLE.
"My sister wore this."
Elodie looked up.
"Where is she?"
"She disappeared four years ago."
"Disappeared?"
"Mother says she moved to Switzerland. She claims Isabelle wanted a fresh start and refused to contact us."
"And you don't believe her?"
Alexandre shook his head.
"Isabelle was a forensic accountant. She was reviewing transactions connected to my grandfather's family trust. Three days before she vanished, she called me and said she'd discovered that someone had been stealing from the foundation for years."
He swallowed.
"I told her she was being paranoid."
"What happened next?"
"She sent me a message."
Alexandre took out his phone and showed Elodie an old screenshot.
If anything happens to me, don't trust the signatures. Find the original.
Elodie read the words twice.
"What original?"
"I've spent four years trying to answer that question."
A floorboard creaked beyond the doorway.
Both of them froze.
Alexandre extinguished the lamp.
Footsteps approached.
A woman's voice echoed through the corridor.
"Alexandre?"
Catherine.
Elodie's stomach tightened.
Alexandre pulled her behind a tall wardrobe.
"Don't move," he whispered.
The door opened.
Catherine entered carrying a leather folder.
Even in the dim light, Elodie could see the cold determination in her expression.
"I know you're here, Alexandre."
He stepped forward.
"Mother."
Catherine studied the elderly mask lying on the table.
"Practicing again?"
"No. I was putting it away."
"Good. Tomorrow is important."
She placed the folder on the desk.
"Elodie must sign the preliminary acknowledgment before the ceremony. The bank's deadline has moved forward."
Alexandre folded his arms.
"Why can't she have her own lawyer?"
Catherine's smile vanished.
"Because an independent lawyer might persuade her to walk away."
"And if she does?"
Catherine looked at her son for a long moment.
"Then her father's creditors will receive information that makes his debts look like the least of his problems."
Elodie pressed a hand over her mouth.
Catherine continued.
"I've spent twenty-three years preparing for this transfer. I will not allow a frightened little girl to ruin it."
Alexandre said nothing.
Catherine picked up the folder.
"Make sure she's ready at nine."
Then she left.
They waited until her footsteps disappeared.
Elodie emerged from hiding, pale and shaking.
"What information does she have about my father?"
Alexandre looked troubled.
"I don't know."
"You're lying."
"No. But I know where we might find out."
He crossed to the desk and opened a concealed compartment beneath it.
Inside lay an old brass key.
"My grandfather kept a second archive beneath the library. Isabelle discovered it before she disappeared."
Elodie reached for the key.
Before her fingers touched it, Alexandre caught her wrist.
"There's something you need to understand. My mother doesn't just control the household staff. She controls the security company, the family lawyers, and the doctors who have access to my grandfather."
"Then how are we supposed to fight her?"
"With evidence she can't erase."
A sudden vibration came from Elodie's phone.
An unknown number.
She answered.
"Hello?"
For several seconds, there was only static.
Then a weak male voice whispered:
"Elodie?"
Her heart stopped.
"Dad?"
"Listen carefully. Whatever Catherine tells you tomorrow, don't sign anything."
"Dad, where are you?"
A painful cough interrupted him.
Then came the words that made her blood turn cold.
"Because twenty-three years ago, I helped her bury a woman who wasn't dead."
The line went silent.
May you like
And before Elodie could speak again, a message appeared on her screen.
YOUR FATHER HAS TOLD YOU TOO MUCH.
