James stared at the employee file. Beneath a photograph of Vanessa, taken almost twelve years earlier, was the name Natalie Price. The woman in the picture had darker hair and wore simple office clothes, but her expression was unmistakable. James recognized the slight curve of her smile, the way she tilted her head, and the narrow scar beside her eyebrow. He had kissed that scar countless times without ever asking how she'd received it.
"Where did you find this?" he asked.
Martin explained that Vanessa once worked for a property investment company that pursued construction partnerships across Pennsylvania. Carter Construction had considered working with the firm before James took over the business. The arrangement never proceeded, but Martin retained archived correspondence involving its employees. While researching Havenbrook Holdings, he recognized Vanessa's photograph in a former contractor database.
James opened the documents. Natalie Price had worked as an account manager for a company called Easton Development Partners. Several years after her departure, the company faced civil lawsuits alleging fraudulent investment presentations and the misuse of client funds. The records didn't establish that Natalie personally committed wrongdoing, but her name appeared repeatedly in correspondence surrounding disputed transactions.
"Did anyone prosecute her?" James asked.
"Not that I could find. She may have left before the investigations began."
Rebecca studied the documents.
"Changing a name isn't itself suspicious. People have legitimate reasons. But using an identity to conceal relevant financial history is something we need to investigate."
James remembered Vanessa claiming she'd grown up in Connecticut and inherited a small fortune from her grandparents. She rarely discussed former coworkers or family relationships. When James suggested visiting her hometown, she always had an excuse.
Now those omissions seemed deliberate.
Rebecca arranged for the information to be forwarded to the authorities handling the disputed company transactions. She cautioned James against searching Vanessa's private accounts or attempting to gather evidence through questionable methods. They already had enough concerns to justify a formal investigation.
That afternoon, James received an unexpected call.
The woman introduced herself as Olivia Price.
"I'm Natalie's older sister," she said.
James gripped the phone.
"How did you get my number?"
"I saw the wedding video online. Someone sent it to me."
James closed his eyes. He had hoped to protect Lily from public attention, but clips of the interruption were already circulating.
Olivia sounded exhausted.
"Mr. Carter, I'm sorry to contact you this way. But there's something you need to know about my sister."
James looked toward Rebecca.
"What?"
Olivia hesitated.
"You're not the first widower she planned to marry."
Then she added quietly, "And the last one lost almost everything."