Chapter 8: The Trap Beneath The Company
The next morning, I walked into Bennett Properties for the first time as someone who no longer trusted anyone inside.
The building looked exactly the same.
Glass walls.
Marble floors.
Employees walking with coffee in their hands.
People laughing near the elevators.
A normal morning.
Except I knew there was a war happening underneath it.
Jordan walked beside me.
“We need to secure the company records before anyone else moves.””
I nodded.
“What about David?””
“He’s cooperating.””
I looked at him.
“You believe him?””
Jordan gave me a careful look.
“I believe everyone is capable of telling the truth and hiding something at the same time.””
That was the most honest answer anyone had given me.
My father joined us near the executive floor.
He looked exhausted.
“Claire.””
I stopped.
“We need to talk.””
I looked at him.
“About another secret?””
His expression hurt.
But he nodded.
“Yes.””
I almost laughed.
“Of course.””
Inside the conference room, my father placed a box on the table.
“I found this last night.””
I opened it.
Inside were old documents.
Photographs.
Letters.
One photo caught my attention.
It was Marcus.
But younger.
Standing beside Richard.
I looked up.
“Why do you have this?””
My father sighed.
“Because I realized too late that Marcus wasn’t the beginning.””
“What does that mean?””
“He was part of something that started years ago.””
Jordan examined the photo.
“Who took this?””
My father answered quietly.
“David.””
I looked at him.
“So David has been watching this entire time?””
“Yes.””
I shook my head.
“I don’t know who to believe anymore.””
Then the conference room door opened.
My assistant, Lily, rushed inside.
“Claire.””
She looked terrified.
“What happened?””
She placed a tablet on the table.
“The company accounts.””
Jordan grabbed it.
“What about them?””
“There were unauthorized transfers last night.””
My father stood immediately.
“How much?””
Lily swallowed.
“Twenty million dollars.””
Nobody spoke.
The room froze.
My father looked at the screen.
“That’s impossible.””
Jordan scanned the information.
“It came from an internal authorization.””
“Whose?””
Jordan looked at me.
I already knew.
The answer was going to hurt.
“Claire Bennett.””
I stared.
“What?””
Lily shook her head quickly.
“No, Claire. I know you didn’t do this.””
Jordan looked closer.
“This authorization used your digital signature.””
My father’s face changed.
Someone wasn’t just attacking the company.
They were setting me up.
“I never approved that.””
Jordan nodded.
“I believe you.””
“But whoever did this wants everyone else to believe I did.””
My father looked toward the window.
“Richard.””
David’s voice suddenly came from the doorway.
Everyone turned.
“You’re looking at the wrong person.””
My eyes narrowed.
“What are you doing here?””
David walked in slowly.
“Because I know who made that transfer.””
Jordan crossed his arms.
“Who?””
David looked directly at me.
“The person who had access to your signature.””
My father stepped forward.
“Only a few people have that.””
David nodded.
“Yes.””
He looked at me.
“And one of them is someone you invited to every family holiday.””
My stomach dropped.
“No.””
David didn’t look away.
“Claire, you need to hear this.””
My hands became cold.
“Who?””
David took a breath.
Then said the name.
“Your mother.””
The room went silent.
My father looked like someone had punched him.
“That’s impossible.””
May you like
David’s expression remained serious.
“I wish it was.””
