Three Weeks Before My Wedding, I Caught My Fiancée Humiliating Our Housekeeper—But the Secret She Was Hiding Was Far Worse Than I Imagined

I stared at the signature for nearly a minute.

Richard Cole.

My father had personally signed a complaint accusing Elena of mishandling household responsibilities.

I turned to Martin.

"Did my father submit these reports?""

Martin nodded slowly.

"Some of them, sir.""

"Why?""

"He said Mrs. Warren had brought the issues to his attention.""

"Did he investigate them?""

Martin shifted his weight.

"Not that I'm aware of.""

I opened another report.

This one accused Elena of misplacing a set of antique silver serving spoons.

The report was dated September 14.

I remembered that day clearly.

Elena had been helping my grandmother at the hospital. Grandma had undergone a minor procedure, and I had personally asked Elena to accompany her because she knew the details of her medication and dietary restrictions.

She hadn't been anywhere near the estate.

I placed the document on the desk.

"Martin, who wrote this?""

"Mrs. Warren dictated the complaint. Your father signed it.""

"And nobody questioned it?""

Martin lowered his eyes.

"No, sir.""

I closed the folder.

"Has Elena ever been formally warned?""

"Three times.""

"Has she been told she's at risk of losing her job?""

Martin hesitated.

"Mrs. Warren mentioned that she intended to replace her before the wedding.""

I felt my jaw tighten.

"Why?""

"She said she wanted a younger, more efficient household staff member before the guests arrived.""

I looked at him.

"Is that the official reason?""

Martin didn't answer immediately.

Then he said something that made the room feel colder.

"Mr. Cole, I think Mrs. Warren wants Elena gone for reasons that have nothing to do with her work.""

I leaned forward.

"What reasons?""

Martin glanced toward the closed office door.

"Last month, I overheard Mrs. Warren arguing with Elena near the upstairs corridor.""

"What about?""

"Your grandmother.""

I waited.

Martin continued.

"Mrs. Warren wanted Elena to stop helping Mrs. Cole organize her personal belongings. Elena refused because your grandmother had specifically asked her to keep certain documents and valuables in a locked cabinet.""

"What documents?""

"I don't know, sir.""

I stood up.

"Find out everything you can about those complaints. Quietly.""

Martin nodded.

"I'll do my best.""

After he left, I called my father.

He answered on the third ring.

"Adrian. What's wrong?""

"I found several disciplinary reports about Elena.""

A brief silence followed.

Then he laughed.

"Ah. That.""

"Did you sign them?""

"Yes. Natalie brought them to me.""

"Did you verify any of the accusations?""

"Why would I need to? Natalie manages the household preparations.""

"She's my fiancée, Dad. Not the estate manager.""

His voice hardened.

"Don't be difficult. She's trying to make this family look respectable before the wedding.""

"By accusing an employee of things she didn't do?""

"You're making too much of this.""

I looked through the glass wall toward the garden.

"Why did you suggest replacing Elena?""

"Because Natalie complained that she's becoming unreliable.""

"Did you know Elena was helping Grandma with her medication?""

"That's not the point.""

"It is exactly the point.""

My father sighed impatiently.

"Listen to me. You have a wedding in three weeks. You have investors coming to the reception, family members traveling from overseas, and a company that requires your attention. You don't need to turn a household staffing issue into a personal crusade.""

I said nothing.

Then he added, almost casually:

"Natalie is going to be your wife. You should start trusting her judgment.""

I ended the call.

For the first time, I wondered whether my father knew more than he was admitting.

That evening, I decided to test Natalie.

At dinner, I deliberately mentioned Elena.

"Grandma told me Elena is helping her organize some old family documents.""

Natalie stopped cutting her steak.

"Did she?""

"Yes. Apparently, Grandma trusts her with quite a lot.""

Natalie placed her knife down.

"That's unfortunate.""

"Why?""

"Because Elena has been careless lately. I wouldn't trust her with anything valuable.""

I watched her carefully.

"Really? What has she done?""

Natalie smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.

"Adrian, darling, I don't want to bore you with household problems.""

"Tell me.""

She took a sip of water.

"She misplaced some of Eleanor's personal papers. I found them in the wrong cabinet.""

"When?""

"Last week.""

"Which papers?""

Natalie blinked.

"I don't remember exactly.""

"Was it a medical document?""

"I suppose.""

"Or something financial?""

Her expression changed.

"Why are you interrogating me?""

"I'm asking a question.""

She leaned back.

"You're becoming strangely protective of the staff.""

I held her gaze.

"I'm protective of people who are treated unfairly.""

Natalie gave a short laugh.

"That's very noble of you.""

Then she reached across the table and squeezed my hand.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll take care of everything after the wedding.""

I gently pulled my hand away.

"What does that mean?""

She smiled.

"It means we'll finally have the household running properly.""

I didn't respond.

Later that night, I went to see my grandmother.

She was sitting beside her bedroom window, reading an old book.

"Grandma, can I ask you something?""

She lowered her glasses.

"That depends. Are you finally reconsidering the wedding?""

I almost smiled.

"Not exactly.""

I sat beside her.

"Do you remember any disagreement between Natalie and Elena about your belongings?""

Eleanor's expression changed immediately.

She closed her book.

"Why are you asking?""

"Because I've found some reports accusing Elena of mishandling your documents.""

Grandma shook her head.

"That is nonsense.""

"Are you sure?""

"Adrian, Elena has never misplaced anything of mine.""

She reached for the drawer beside her bed and pulled out a small envelope.

"Your mother used to keep certain family papers here. After she died, I asked Elena to help me organize them.""

I looked at the envelope.

"What papers?""

"Some old property records. Letters. And a few documents concerning the trust your grandfather established.""

I frowned.

"What trust?""

Eleanor looked surprised.

"Didn't your father tell you?""

"No.""

She opened the envelope and removed a folded document.

"Your grandfather created a private trust for the family estate. He wanted to ensure that the property would remain protected for future generations.""

I scanned the first page.

The document was old, but several clauses had been updated.

"What does this have to do with Natalie?""

Eleanor took a breath.

"Your grandfather included a condition. The person who inherits control of the estate must understand that the family fortune is not simply theirs to spend. Certain assets are protected for the benefit of future generations.""

I nodded slowly.

"Who currently manages the trust?""

"Your father has handled most of the administrative matters.""

I looked down again.

There was a reference to an additional schedule attached to the trust.

But the schedule was missing.

"Where is the rest of this document?""

Eleanor's face grew troubled.

"That's what I've been trying to find.""

"Who last handled it?""

She hesitated.

"Elena.""

I looked up.

"Elena?""

"She helped me put everything away. But a few days later, Natalie came into my room and insisted the old papers needed to be moved somewhere safer.""

"Where did she put them?""

"I don't know.""

Grandma gripped my hand.

"Adrian, I didn't want to upset you before the wedding. But I've been worried.""

"About what?""

She lowered her voice.

"Natalie asked me several questions about the estate's ownership. She wanted to know what would happen if something happened to me.""

My stomach tightened.

"What exactly did she ask?""

"She asked whether the trust could be changed after your marriage. She also wanted to know whether you would have the authority to sell certain properties.""

I stared at my grandmother.

"Why didn't you tell me?""

"Because I thought she was simply curious.""

Eleanor looked toward the door.

"Then, last week, I overheard her speaking to someone on the telephone.""

"What did she say?""

Grandma swallowed.

"She said she needed Elena out of the house before the wedding because Elena knew where the missing documents were kept.""

For several seconds, I couldn't speak.

The spilled wine.

The false complaints.

The sudden hostility whenever Elena mentioned my grandmother's belongings.