Chapter 2: The Secret Behind the Smile
Richard Parker stood in the private hallway outside my office with a worried expression.
I had known Richard for nearly two years. He was usually confident, controlled, and impossible to surprise.
But that night, his hands were shaking.
“Ethan, I wouldn’t come to you like this unless it was serious.””
I closed the office door.
“What happened?””
He looked toward the dining room.
“Is Vanessa here?””
I nodded.
“She’s having dinner.””
Richard exhaled slowly.
“Then you need to hear this before she leaves.””
I sat down behind my desk.
“Start from the beginning.””
Richard remained standing.
“Do you remember six months ago when you told me about expanding Bennett House?””
“Yes.””
“You told me you were searching for a second location.””
“I remember.””
He looked down.
“That information was supposed to stay private.””
A cold feeling moved through my chest.
“What are you saying?””
Richard pulled out his phone.
“Vanessa knew.””
I stared at him.
“How?””
“I don’t know. But she knew your plans before you announced them.””
I leaned forward.
“Richard, what exactly are you worried about?””
He opened a folder on his phone.
Inside were screenshots.
Emails.
Messages.
Documents.
I started reading.
The first message was between Vanessa and a real estate agent.
The owner is planning to purchase the building on West Avenue. Find a way to delay him.
My eyes narrowed.
The second message was worse.
If Bennett House loses that location, competitors will pay well for the information.
I looked at Richard.
“Where did you get these?””
He swallowed.
“I found them on Vanessa’s laptop.””
“Why were you looking through her laptop?””
“Because I suspected she was hiding something.””
The room became silent.
I continued scrolling.
There were conversations with restaurant competitors.
Private discussions.
Names I recognized.
People who had tried to copy my business model.
People who wanted Bennett House to fail.
Richard sat down.
“Ethan, I’m sorry.””
I looked at him.
“For what?””
“For not seeing it sooner.””
I didn’t answer.
My mind returned to Vanessa sitting at that table, looking at me like I was beneath her.
But this wasn’t about an insult anymore.
This was about betrayal.
A person who looked down on employees had apparently been working against the very people who built this restaurant.
“Why would she do this?”” I asked.
Richard laughed bitterly.
“That’s what I’ve been trying to understand.””
“Did she know I was the owner?””
“No.””
That answer surprised me.
Richard continued.
“She thinks you’re just some wealthy investor who stays away from the restaurant.””
I leaned back.
“So she treated me badly because she thought I was insignificant.””
“Yes.””
I looked through the office window.
Vanessa was smiling at her friends.
Perfect hair.
Perfect dress.
Perfect image.
A carefully built illusion.
“Richard, why are you telling me this now?””
His face changed.
“Because I found something else.””
“What?””
He hesitated.
“She’s been using my company accounts.””
My expression hardened.
“How?””
“Small transfers. Payments to people I don’t know. At first, I thought it was random spending.””
“And now?””
“Now I think she’s been funding something.””
I stood.
“Do you know what?””
Richard shook his head.
“Not yet.””
A knock came at the door.
Daniel entered.
“Ethan, Vanessa is asking for you.””
Richard and I exchanged a look.
“Why?””
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
“She wants to complain about the server.””
I almost laughed.
The server.
She still thought that was who I was.
“Tell her I’ll be there.””
Daniel left.
Richard looked at me.
“What are you going to do?””
I put the folder on my desk.
“I’m going to listen.””
“Listen?””
“Yes.””
“Ethan, she’s been working against you.””
“I know.””
“Then why not expose her?””
I looked at him.
“Because people like Vanessa don’t reveal themselves when they’re accused.””
I opened the office door.
“They reveal themselves when they believe they’ve won.””
I walked back into the dining room.
Vanessa immediately raised her hand.
“There you are.””
Her tone was cold.
“I need to speak with your manager.””
“I’m listening.””
She looked annoyed.
“You?””
“Yes.””
She sighed.
“Fine. The service tonight has been unacceptable.””
“Can you explain?””
She smiled.
“I already did. Some employees simply don’t belong in places like this.””
I looked at her carefully.
Then she said something that made me realize Richard was right.
“I hope the owner knows what kind of people are working here.””
I stayed silent.
Because Vanessa had no idea.
The owner was standing right in front of her.
And she was about to learn that the person she tried to destroy had already discovered her secret.
But before I could respond, Richard’s phone buzzed.
He checked the screen.
His face turned pale.
“What is it?”” I asked.
He showed me the message.
It was from an unknown number.
May you like
One sentence.
*I know you found the files. Vanessa knows too. Leave before she destroys everything.*
