Chapter 6 – The Witness Who Never Died
Celeste’s hand froze, the burning match trembling between her fingers.
The man standing in the doorway looked older than she remembered. His gray hair had replaced the dark curls he once wore, but his sharp blue eyes were unchanged.
"Samuel..." she whispered.
Samuel Hart had been Lancaster Holdings' chief legal counsel seven years earlier—the man who had investigated Clara's alleged theft.
"You died," Celeste said.
"I allowed everyone to believe that."
He stepped into the penthouse and quietly closed the door.
"The accident wasn't an accident."
Celeste forced herself to smile.
"You have no proof."
Samuel reached inside his coat and placed a flash drive on the marble table.
"I've spent seven years collecting it."
Her confidence disappeared.
"Bank transfers. Forged signatures. Offshore accounts. Audio recordings." He paused. "Everything your lawyers thought they destroyed."
Celeste lunged for the drive.
Samuel picked it up first.
"You always underestimated honest people."
Outside, police sirens echoed through the streets below.
Celeste rushed to the window.
Three black government vehicles had stopped outside the building.
She turned back toward Samuel.
"You planned this."
"No."
May you like
He looked directly into her eyes.
"Clara did."
