Chapter 8 - THE BOARDROOM AMBUSH
Clara read every page.
Nobody interrupted her.
When she finished, she placed the petition on the table.
“That’s impressive.”
Evelyn smiled.
“I’m glad you understand the seriousness.”
“I meant the forgery.”
The smile vanished.
Several directors shifted uncomfortably.
Clara continued.
“You created fake bank statements.”
“You manufactured emails.”
“And apparently I purchased a villa in Monaco last year.”
She looked around.
“I’ve never been to Monaco.”
Evelyn folded her hands.
“Those matters can be investigated.”
“They already have been.”
Nathan entered.
Two federal investigators followed.
Victoria immediately stood.
“What are they doing here?”
Clara looked at her.
“Investigating.”
Evelyn’s face remained composed.
But her fingers tightened.
One investigator approached the table.
“We have warrants covering specific financial records.”
The room erupted.
Evelyn stood.
“This is outrageous.”
Clara remained seated.
“No.”
“What was outrageous was stealing from our father.”
Evelyn froze.
Clara placed Edward’s letter on the table.
For the first time, genuine panic appeared on her aunt’s face.
“Where did you get that?”
“Samuel Reed.”
Victoria whispered something under her breath.
Evelyn turned toward her sharply.
That tiny reaction told Clara everything.
They knew Samuel was alive.
The investigators began collecting documents.
Then Victoria suddenly grabbed her phone.
“I need my lawyer.”
She hurried toward the door.
Daniel blocked her.
“Move.”
“No.”
“You can’t imprison me.”
“I’m not.”
He stepped aside.
“But I think they might want to speak with you.”
An investigator approached.
Victoria’s confidence shattered.
“I didn’t steal anything.”
“Nobody said you did.”
“I only took the folder because Evelyn told me to!”
Silence.
Evelyn closed her eyes.
Victoria realized what she had done.
Clara almost smiled.
“Thank you, Victoria.”
“You’ve been extremely helpful.”
Evelyn slapped the table.
“You stupid little fool.”
Victoria stared at her.
“You promised you would protect me!”
Daniel’s expression changed.
Clara watched the alliance collapse in real time.
Victoria pointed at Evelyn.
“She planned everything!”
“Victoria, stop.”
“She told me Daniel would never know!”
“Stop talking!”
“She said after the wedding we would control his shares!”
Daniel went completely still.
Victoria covered her mouth.
Too late.
Evelyn looked around the boardroom.
Then she laughed.
Slowly.
Coldly.
“You think you won?”
Clara stared at her.
Evelyn reached into her handbag.
Nathan moved immediately.
But Evelyn only removed a flash drive.
She placed it on the table.
“You might want to see what happens when this reaches every news organization in the country.”
Clara picked it up.
“What is it?”
May you like
Evelyn smiled.
“Your father’s real secret.”
