Chapter 4:A warning I couldn’t ignore

I read the message three times before putting my phone down.

Stop looking into the company, Seraphina. Some things are better left buried.

Whoever sent it knew about my investigation.

That meant one of two things. Either someone had access to Seraphina’s private communications, or someone involved in Vale Atelier was monitoring the people connected to the company.

Neither possibility was comforting.

I took a screenshot of the message and forwarded it to Miriam.

Her reply came a few minutes later.

Do not respond to the sender. I’ll see whether we can identify the number.

I appreciated her caution.

For now, I decided to stop searching through the old documents. I had already found enough to know that Vale Atelier’s collapse deserved a closer investigation.

The next step was the charity gala.

The following morning, I found Adrian in the dining room.

He was seated at the head of the table, reading something on his tablet while a cup of untouched coffee sat beside him.

I considered taking my breakfast upstairs, but that would only make an ordinary meal seem like an attempt to avoid him.

I sat at the opposite end.

“Good morning,” I said.

He looked up briefly.

“You’re up early.”

“Is there a problem with that?”

“No.”

I began eating.

For several minutes, neither of us spoke. It was surprisingly peaceful until Adrian put down his tablet.

“I spoke to Miriam Cole yesterday.”

My spoon stopped halfway to my mouth.

“About what?”

“She mentioned that you’ve requested a review of your marriage agreement.”

I placed the spoon down.

“She’s my solicitor. I’m entitled to understand my legal and financial arrangements.”

“Your family has lawyers for that.”

“And I have the right to choose who advises me.”

His expression hardened slightly.

“Why are you suddenly concerned about the agreement?”

I met his gaze.

“Because I should have understood it before signing it.”

He studied me as though searching for an explanation behind my words.

“Is this about divorce?”

The question came so directly that I almost smiled.

“Would that bother you?”

“Don’t turn this into another argument.”

“I’m not. You asked a question, and I asked one in return.”

He leaned back.

“Whatever problems you have with me, there’s no reason to involve lawyers.”

I looked at him for a moment.

“Adrian, I don’t need your permission to understand my own finances.”

His jaw tightened.

“You’re making this more complicated than it needs to be.”

“Then perhaps you should stop making assumptions about my intentions.”

I returned to my breakfast.

The conversation ended there, but I could feel his attention lingering on me.

It was becoming clear that Adrian wasn’t accustomed to being challenged by his wife without an emotional outburst following it.

He had expected anger, tears, or another desperate attempt to get his attention.

Instead, I was simply protecting myself.

And he didn’t know what to do with that.

Later that afternoon, Vivian arrived without an appointment.

I was in the sitting room reviewing the documents Miriam had sent when Lydia announced her arrival.

“Lady Seraphina, Miss Vivian is here.”

I sighed.

“Show her in.”

Vivian entered with a bright smile, carrying a shopping bag.

“I’ve been trying to reach you all morning.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“You’re always busy these days.”

She placed the bag beside me.

“I thought you might need something beautiful for the gala.”

I looked inside.

A silver evening gown lay neatly folded in tissue paper.

“It’s lovely.”

“Isn’t it? I had it specially selected. You should wear it on Friday. Everyone will be looking at you and Adrian.”

I returned the gown to its bag.

“I already have something to wear.”

Vivian’s smile faltered.

“You’re becoming difficult to please.”

“I wasn’t aware I had to be easy to please.”

She sat opposite me.

“Seraphine, I’m serious. People are talking about you. First, you refuse to visit Draven’s castle, then you start questioning your finances. Now you’re acting as though you don’t care what Adrian thinks.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“Why are you so concerned about what people think of me?”

“Because I’m your friend.”

“Then you should be happy that I’m finally taking care of myself.”

Vivian looked away.

For a moment, I noticed something I hadn’t paid attention to before.

Her fingers were twisting the strap of her handbag.

It was a small gesture, but her confidence seemed less convincing than usual.

“Did something happen?” I asked.

She immediately looked up.

“Why would you ask that?”

“You seem nervous.”

“I’m perfectly fine.”

She stood and adjusted her dress.

“Anyway, I should leave. I’ll see you at the gala.”

After she left, I glanced at the shopping bag again.

I didn’t know whether Vivian was genuinely concerned about me or simply uncomfortable with the changes in my behavior.

But I was beginning to understand something about Seraphina’s old life.

Everyone seemed to have an opinion about what she should do.

Very few people appeared interested in what she actually wanted.

That evening, Adrian returned later than usual.

I was in the bedroom when he entered, loosening his tie.

“Are you attending the gala on Friday?” he asked.

I looked up from my laptop.

“Yes.”

“Good.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Was there any doubt?”

“Considering your recent behavior, I wasn’t sure.”

I closed the laptop.

“What exactly is my recent behavior supposed to mean?”

He ignored the question.

“Isabella will be there.”

There it was.

I remembered the original story.

Isabella Laurent was the woman Adrian had loved before his marriage. Seraphina had never accepted their history and considered Isabella a threat to her position.

At the gala, that jealousy would finally destroy her reputation.

I looked at Adrian.

“That’s fine.”

He frowned.

“That’s all you have to say?”

“What else would you like me to say?”

“Nothing.”

He walked toward the wardrobe.

I watched him for a moment before returning to my laptop.

“Adrian?”

He turned.

“I won’t cause a scene at the gala. You don’t have to worry about that.”

His expression changed.

“Why would I be worried?”

“Because you seem convinced that every decision I make has something to do with Isabella.”

He said nothing.

I continued.

“I’m attending because it’s an important event. I have no interest in competing with another woman for your attention.”

For several seconds, he simply stared at me.

Then he turned away.

“Just be sensible on Friday.”

I almost laughed.

Apparently, even my promise not to embarrass him wasn’t enough to make him comfortable.

After Adrian left the room, I returned to my laptop.

Miriam had forwarded another document concerning Vale Atelier.

This time, it was a list of shareholders involved in the final restructuring.

I scanned the names until one caught my attention.

Nathaniel Kingsley.

I read it again.

Nathaniel was Adrian’s uncle and a senior member of the Kingsley family. In the novel, he appeared only occasionally, usually at family functions. I remembered him as a quiet businessman who rarely involved himself in Adrian’s personal affairs.

But his name appeared beside the company that had received Seraphina’s transferred shares.

I leaned closer to the screen.

Was this the connection the anonymous sender had warned me about?

I opened another document.

The transaction date was three weeks before Seraphina’s wedding.

Exactly as the anonymous email had claimed.

I sat back slowly.

The gala was in two days.

Nathaniel Kingsley would almost certainly attend.

For the first time, I had a name connected to the mystery.

But before I could examine the document further, another notification appeared on my phone.

It was from the same unknown number.

You have been warned once, Mrs. Kingsley. Don’t make me warn you again.

I stared at the message.

Then I looked toward the bedroom door Adrian had just walked through.

Someone was determined to keep me from discovering what happened to Seraphina’s company.

And if that person was connected to the Kingsley family, the danger might be much closer than I had imagined.