Chapter 8 - THE TRAITOR INSIDE SAINT CLAIRE
Raymond’s assistant was named Thomas Reed.
He knew everything.
Board schedules.
Security protocols.
Private financial meetings.
Emily’s trust.
Even Raymond’s travel plans.
When security entered his office, Thomas was gone.
His computer had been wiped.
His company phone sat on the desk.
The betrayal cut Raymond deeply.
“I trusted him.”
Emily watched her uncle stare through the library window.
“So did I.”
Raymond turned toward her.
“No.”
“What Preston did to you is different.”
“Is it?”
Emily’s voice stayed quiet.
“We both trusted people because we wanted to believe loyalty was real.”
That evening, Saint Claire’s board called an emergency meeting.
Charles Whitmore demanded Raymond resign.
His argument was simple.
Raymond had allegedly used hospital security to intimidate Preston and Vanessa during a private marital dispute.
Emily listened remotely.
Charles spoke confidently.
“My son is being publicly persecuted because his marriage is failing.”
Raymond responded.
“Your son watched a pregnant patient be assaulted.”
“My daughter-in-law exaggerated an unfortunate confrontation.”
Emily muted the speaker for one second.
Her hands trembled.
Then she unmuted it.
“I’d like to speak.”
Silence followed.
Charles laughed softly.
“Emily, perhaps this is not the time.”
“It is exactly the time.”
She activated her camera.
Her face appeared on the boardroom screens.
“My name is Emily Margaret Saint Claire Whitmore.”
Several board members straightened.
“I am the controlling beneficiary of the Saint Claire medical trust.”
Charles stopped smiling.
“And effective immediately, I am exercising my voting authority.”
Raymond looked at her.
Even he had not known she planned this.
Emily continued.
“I request suspension of Preston Whitmore from every hospital position pending criminal and financial investigation.”
Charles stood.
“You cannot do that.”
Emily looked directly into the camera.
“I just did.”
The vote took seven minutes.
Preston was suspended.
Charles lost his board chairmanship.
Three Whitmore executives were placed on administrative leave.
For the first time, Emily felt power move beneath her feet.
Then her phone vibrated.
A message from Preston.
YOU THINK THIS IS OVER?
A second message arrived.
ASK YOUR UNCLE WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO YOUR MOTHER.
Emily stared at the screen.
Raymond saw her expression.
“What is it?”
May you like
She turned the phone toward him.
For the first time since this began, Raymond Saint Claire looked afraid.
