He knew what he needed to do. The legal and financial decisions could wait until morning, but he needed to stop allowing his frustration to dictate his actions.
He returned to the utility room.
The container of pond dye was still there.
Arthur lifted it, then paused.
He imagined Madison returning to the pool the following morning. He imagined her expression when she saw the water transformed into an inky, unnatural black.
For a brief moment, he felt the satisfaction of a man who had finally found a way to make someone listen.
Then he recognized the feeling for what it was.
Revenge.
He had spent his life telling Madison that people should be judged by their actions, yet he was standing in his own house considering an action designed to humiliate her.
Arthur lowered the container.
He was about to put it away when he heard a noise outside.
Someone was moving near the pool.
He looked through the window and saw Madison standing by the water, holding her phone. She appeared to be speaking to someone.
Although he could not hear the conversation, her expression was tense.
She paced beside the pool, stopping occasionally to look toward the house.
Arthur watched for several seconds before realizing that Madison was not alone in the garden. A second figure stood near the far gate.
The figure was too distant to identify clearly.
Arthur set the container down and moved toward the back door.
By the time he reached the garden, the second figure had disappeared.
Madison turned sharply when she heard his footsteps.
"What are you doing out here?" she demanded.
"I heard someone."
"Nobody is here."
"Who were you speaking to?"
"That is none of your business."
Arthur looked toward the gate.
"Was it Victor?"
Madison's face changed.
Only for a second, but it was enough.
"Go back inside," she said.
Arthur studied her carefully.
"Has something happened?"
"Nothing has happened."
"Madison—"
"I said nothing!"
Her voice echoed across the garden.
Arthur fell silent.
Madison looked down at her phone. Her hands were trembling slightly.
For the first time that day, she no longer looked confident.
She looked frightened.
Arthur stepped closer, keeping his voice calm.
"You don't have to tell me everything tonight. But if you're in trouble, you should not face it alone."
Madison stared at him.
Then she turned away.
"I can handle it."
She walked toward the house without another word.
Arthur remained beside the pool.
The water was still blue.
But he knew that something had changed.
Whatever was happening with Victor, Madison was no longer merely being stubborn.
She was hiding something.
Chapter 7: A Message Before Sunrise
At six o'clock the following morning, Arthur received a phone call from his lawyer.
Victor Hale had disappeared.
His office had been closed without warning, and several investors had been unable to contact him. Documents related to the resort project were missing, and the company's accounts were under investigation.
Arthur listened carefully.
"Has Madison been informed?" he asked.
"We have tried to reach her," the lawyer replied. "She has not answered."
Arthur thanked him and ended the call.
He immediately went upstairs to Madison's room.
The door was open, and the room was empty.
Her suitcase was missing from the wardrobe.
On the desk lay a printed document with Victor's company logo. Arthur picked it up and read the first page.
It was an agreement transferring a substantial financial obligation to Madison.
The document appeared to have been signed several days earlier.
Arthur sat down.
Madison had not merely invested in Victor's business. She had agreed to take on additional obligations, apparently believing that the project would soon generate enough money to cover them.
If the company collapsed, she could face serious financial consequences.
Arthur closed his eyes.
He could protect some of the family's assets, but he could not simply erase every decision Madison had made.
He called her again.
This time, she answered.
"Where are you?" he asked.
There was a long silence.
"Somewhere safe," she replied.
"Are you with Victor?"
"No."
"Do you know where he is?"
"No."
Arthur could hear traffic in the background.
"Madison, the lawyer has found the agreement. We need to discuss it."
She breathed out shakily.
"I know."
"Then come home."
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Because you were right."
The words were so quiet that Arthur almost failed to hear them.
He remained silent, allowing her to continue.
"I thought I could make the money back before anyone noticed. Victor said the project was almost ready. He told me everything was fine."
"How much did you invest?"
Madison gave him a figure.
Arthur's face tightened.
The amount was far greater than he had expected.
"I made a mistake," she whispered.
"Yes," Arthur said gently. "You did."
She began to cry.
"Are you going to throw me out?"
Arthur looked through the window at the garden.
"No."
"Are you going to tell everyone what happened?"
"No."
"Then what are you going to do?"
Arthur thought about the letter on his desk.
"I'm going to help you understand what happened. I'll make sure you have proper legal advice. But I won't pretend the mistake never occurred."
Madison said nothing.
"You can come home," he continued. "We will deal with the truth one step at a time."