James stood beside his bedroom window, unable to understand what Rebecca had just told him.
"Claire?"
"Victor claims Vanessa had information about your wife before Claire died."
James felt his pulse accelerate.
"That doesn't make sense. Vanessa told me she never met her."
Rebecca explained that investigators were examining Victor's statement carefully. He had agreed to provide information about Havenbrook in connection with his own legal difficulties, but his claims required independent verification.
According to Victor, Natalie Price began researching Carter Construction years before approaching James. At the time, Claire managed several financial and administrative responsibilities for the company. She had reportedly questioned a proposed investment involving Easton Development Partners, the firm where Natalie worked.
"Are you saying Claire knew her?"
"Possibly."
James sat on the edge of the bed.
He remembered Claire's final years vividly. She was courageous and practical, even while struggling with illness. She worried about leaving James alone with Lily and spent much of her remaining time organizing family documents.
But she'd never mentioned Natalie Price.
Rebecca continued.
"Victor says Claire rejected a proposal that would have given Easton access to company assets. Afterward, Natalie began looking for other ways to approach the business."
James closed his eyes.
"Then she waited until Claire died?"
"That's what he alleges. We need documentation before accepting it."
The possibility made James physically sick.
For eighteen months, he'd believed Vanessa entered his life through a chance meeting. She knew about Claire's death, listened sympathetically when he described his grief, and praised his devotion to Lily.
If she had researched his family beforehand, the relationship might have been calculated from the beginning.
Rebecca asked James whether Claire kept copies of old business correspondence.
He thought about the boxes in the attic.
After Claire died, he moved many of her papers there because sorting them felt unbearable.
The following morning, Rebecca came over.
Together, they examined several boxes labeled in Claire's handwriting.
Most contained ordinary records: insurance information, tax documents, family photographs, and letters from doctors.
Then James found a folder marked Easton Development.
Inside were correspondence, meeting notes, and a photograph of Claire standing beside several company representatives.
One woman stood near the back.
Her hair was darker, but James recognized the face immediately.
Natalie Price.
Vanessa.
James stared at the photograph.
Then he noticed a handwritten note clipped to the folder.
It was from Claire.
James, do not approve any investment involving Natalie Price or Victor Hale without independent investigation. Something about their proposal is deeply wrong.
James sank into a chair.
His wife had tried to warn him years before he met the woman who nearly became Lily's stepmother.
And her warning had been sitting in their attic the entire time.