Chapter 7 - THE PERFECT FIANCÉE
Daniel stared at the photograph for nearly a minute.
Then he threw it across the room.
“She planned everything.”
Clara did not answer.
“She knew what coffee shop I went to.”
“She knew where I exercised.”
“She knew what charities I supported.”
His laugh was empty.
“I thought we had things in common.”
Nathan placed another file on the table.
“They researched you.”
Inside were photographs taken over several years.
Daniel leaving restaurants.
Daniel entering offices.
Daniel attending charity events.
Daniel with former girlfriends.
There were notes beside each photograph.
Prefers quiet women.
Protective personality.
Responds strongly to vulnerability.
Family loyalty exploitable.
Daniel stopped reading.
“I’m going to be sick.”
Clara closed the folder.
“This was psychological profiling.”
Daniel looked toward her.
“What did they have on you?”
Nathan hesitated.
Clara noticed.
“Show me.”
Her file was thicker.
Much thicker.
Travel schedules.
Business routines.
Medical appointments.
Favorite restaurants.
Security patterns.
Even photographs of Clara jogging.
Daniel’s face turned white.
“They were planning something.”
Clara opened another page.
A handwritten note appeared.
C.V. remains primary obstacle.
Another line.
Reputation attack preferable before physical alternative.
Daniel slammed the folder shut.
“That’s enough.”
Nathan disagreed.
“No.”
Both siblings looked at him.
“You need to see this.”
He removed a document.
It was a draft news article.
The headline accused Clara of embezzling millions from the family trust.
The article contained fabricated bank statements.
Fake emails.
False witness statements.
Everything needed to destroy her reputation.
Clara understood.
“If they couldn’t remove me legally…”
“They would destroy you publicly,” Nathan said.
“And if that failed?”
Nobody answered.
Daniel walked toward the window.
“We go to the FBI.”
Clara nodded.
“We also call the board.”
“Why?”
“Because Evelyn’s next move will be corporate.”
Clara was right.
At 9:00 the following morning, an emergency meeting of Vance Holdings was called.
Not by Clara.
By Evelyn.
When Clara entered the boardroom, her aunt was already seated.
Evelyn looked elegant.
Calm.
Untouchable.
Victoria sat beside her.
Daniel stopped in the doorway.
“What is she doing here?”
Victoria avoided his eyes.
Evelyn smiled.
“She is here because this concerns her.”
Clara took her seat.
“What exactly concerns her?”
Evelyn slid a document across the table.
“A question of your fitness to continue controlling this family.”
Clara opened it.
A petition seeking her immediate removal as head trustee.
Attached were allegations of fraud.
Mismanagement.
And mental instability.
The same attack Nathan had discovered.
Evelyn smiled.
May you like
“I’m afraid, Clara…”
“Your reign is over.”
