Chapter 10 - The Betrayal
Margaret arrived at the police station with a cut above her eyebrow and bruises around her wrist.
She refused to speak until an attorney was present.
But she gave detectives a flash drive.
The files contained emails between Ethan and Victor.
Claire read them hours later.
One message was devastating.
Once Claire signs, Northstar takes control.
Another said.
Keep her calm until the property transfer closes.
Claire looked at the dates.
Both messages had been sent from Ethan’s company email.
Ethan insisted they were fabricated.
Jonathan brought in a digital forensic specialist.
By evening, they had an answer.
The emails were real.
Sent from Ethan’s office computer.
Ethan stared at the report.
“I didn’t write these.”
Claire almost walked away.
Then the specialist raised his hand.
“I didn’t say you did.”
Everyone turned.
“The messages were sent while Mr. Whitmore was in Chicago.”
“His company badge records show he entered the Chicago convention center at the same time.”
Claire looked at Ethan.
“So someone used his computer.”
“Correct.”
“Who had access?”
Ethan answered immediately.
“Victor.”
Margaret laughed bitterly from across the table.
“Of course he did.”
It was the first time Claire had been in the same room with her since the birthday.
Claire’s entire body tightened.
Margaret noticed.
For once, her usual arrogance disappeared.
“Claire.”
“Don’t.”
Margaret lowered her eyes.
“What I did to Lily was unforgivable.”
Claire stared at her.
“Yes.”
“It was.”
Margaret swallowed.
“I thought she had taken the transfer document.”
“She had.”
“I panicked.”
“So you humiliated a child.”
“I did.”
“No excuse?”
Margaret shook her head.
“No.”
Claire had expected denial.
Excuses.
Manipulation.
The simple confession somehow made her angrier.
Margaret continued.
“I spent years blaming your father for destroying my career.”
“I convinced myself he had humiliated me.”
“I told Ethan the same story.”
“But your father didn’t ruin me.”
“I ruined myself.”
Ethan stared at his mother.
Margaret looked older than Claire had ever seen her.
“I stole from him.”
“He caught me.”
“He let me avoid prison because my youngest son was sick.”
Ethan froze.
“You told me he blackmailed you.”
“I lied.”
That single confession shattered the story Ethan had believed since childhood.
Margaret looked at Claire.
“Years later, when I learned Ethan was dating you, I encouraged him.”
“I told myself it was justice.”
“But eventually I realized he actually loved you.”
Claire said nothing.
Margaret continued.
“Victor realized the property could be worth thirty million if redeveloped.”
“He convinced me we could recover what your father had supposedly taken.”
“And when the debts grew, he took control.”
Claire asked quietly.
“Why did he attack you?”
“Because I told him I was stopping.”
Margaret’s eyes filled.
“After what I did to Lily, I looked at her face and suddenly saw what I had become.”
Claire did not soften.
Repentance did not erase abuse.
Then Margaret gave Jonathan another envelope.
“This is what Victor wants.”
Claire opened it.
Inside was a copy of an old partnership agreement.
Her father’s signature appeared at the bottom.
And beside it was another name.
Victor Hale Sr.
Jonathan stared.
“Victor’s father owned part of your father’s company.”
Margaret nodded.
“And Victor believes Claire’s father stole it from him.”
Claire realized the property scheme was bigger than revenge.
Victor was not simply chasing money.
He believed he was reclaiming an inheritance.
Then Margaret delivered the worst part.
“He has one original document that could give him a legal claim.”
“Where?”
Margaret looked at Ethan.
“In your office safe.”
Ethan’s face went white.
“My safe is empty.”
May you like
Margaret whispered.
“Then Victor already has it.”
