Chapter 6 - THE FIRST COLLAPSE
Ethan's first call went unanswered.
The second did too.
The third went directly to voicemail.
Then he called Claire.
No answer.
Mason.
Nothing.
He called his mother.
“Where are they?”
“What?”
“The children.”
“I don't know.”
Ethan looked furious.
“You're their grandmother.”
“And you're their father.”
His mother paused.
“Where is Natalie?”
“I don't know.”
“You told her to leave.”
Ethan froze.
His mother understood.
“You actually told her to disappear?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted a clean start.”
His mother closed her eyes.
“You idiot.”
Ethan's jaw tightened.
“I have everything under control.”
“No.”
His mother whispered.
“You don't.”
That afternoon, Ethan's bank called.
Several accounts were under review.
A company credit line had been suspended.
Two lenders wanted updated ownership documents.
A partner requested an emergency meeting.
Then his assistant called.
“Mr. Caldwell?”
“What?”
“We have a problem with the warehouse property.”
“What problem?”
“The title structure.”
Ethan stopped.
“Explain.”
“The land isn't owned by Caldwell Holdings.”
“Of course it is.”
“No, sir.”
His assistant hesitated.
“It appears several parcels were transferred years ago.”
“To whom?”
“Natalie Caldwell.”
Ethan went silent.
He remembered his father-in-law laughing years earlier.
Men should prove they can remain kind before being trusted with power.
Ethan had thought it was an old man's joke.
Now he wondered how much of his empire had been built on assets Natalie legally controlled.
He called Gloria Mendez.
She answered immediately.
“Mr. Caldwell.”
“You're representing Natalie.”
“Yes.”
“What did she do?”
Gloria paused.
“She listened to you.”
May you like
Then she hung up.
---
