Chapter 6 - THE BOARDROOM OF SECRETSMargaret aimed at Ethan.
Chapter 6 - THE BOARDROOM OF SECRETS
Margaret aimed at Ethan.Claire stood beside the recorder, unable to move.
“Step away from the table,” Margaret said.
Ethan raised his hands.
“You knew Daniel.”
“I knew many foolish men.”
“Is he alive?”
Margaret smiled faintly.
“That depends on your definition.”
Claire’s grief hardened into anger.
“You buried my father under Daniel’s name.”
“I did not bury anyone.”
“You falsified the report.”
“I corrected a dangerous uncertainty.”
Margaret stepped closer.
“Your father wanted to expose people he could not understand.”
“Who ordered the fire?”
Margaret’s eyes moved toward the recorder.
“Victor told you I did.”
“Daniel said Victor knows.”
“Daniel says whatever keeps him alive.”
Ethan focused on the gun.
Margaret’s finger rested lightly against the trigger.
“Where is he?”
“Tomorrow you will attend the emergency board meeting at Langley Global.”
“Why?”
“Because Daniel wants something from you.”
Claire laughed bitterly.
“You expect us to walk into the company after this?”
“I expect you to understand that refusing will kill him.”
A noise sounded behind Margaret.
Victor emerged from the corridor and struck her wrist.
The gun fired into the ceiling.
Ethan pulled Claire to the floor.
Margaret and Victor struggled.
The weapon slid across the room.
Ethan reached it first.
Margaret stopped.
Victor’s face was bleeding.
“You followed us,” Ethan said.
“You’re welcome.”
Margaret smiled at Victor.
“You always arrive just late enough to appear heroic.”
Victor’s expression darkened.
“What does Daniel want?”
“You will find out tomorrow.”
She looked at Ethan.
“Bring the notebook.”
“How do you know about it?”
“Because Daniel stole it from Meridian.”
Margaret walked toward the door.
Ethan kept the gun aimed.
“Why should I let you leave?”
“Because I am the only reason your brother is still breathing.”
She disappeared into the darkness.
The next morning, Langley Global announced an emergency board meeting to address allegations of financial misconduct.
Victor arranged temporary security credentials for Ethan.
Claire entered using her new executive title.
They arrived separately.
News reporters gathered outside the tower.
Rumors of federal investigations had already reached the media.
Inside the boardroom, twelve executives sat around a polished table.
Margaret occupied the chair beside the company’s chief executive, Alexander Langley, Victor’s father.
Alexander was seventy-one and still controlled the corporation with quiet authority.
He looked at Ethan as though they had met before.
“Mr. Carter,” Alexander said. “Your family has caused this company considerable trouble.”
Victor entered behind Ethan.
“Father.”
Alexander ignored him.
Claire placed Rebecca’s files on the table.
“We have evidence of fraud, unlawful detention, falsified deaths, and money laundering.”
Several directors reacted with alarm.
Margaret remained calm.
Alexander smiled.
“Evidence provided by a missing employee?”
“Evidence copied from company systems,” Claire said.
“And stolen by my son’s mistress?”
Ethan saw Claire flinch.
Victor stepped forward.
“She is not my mistress.”
“Then your performance has been wasted.”
Alexander opened a folder.
Photographs spilled across the table.
They showed Claire and Victor entering hotels, private apartments, and vehicles together.
Some angles made their relationship appear intimate.
One image showed Victor kissing Claire.
Ethan had known about it.
Seeing it was different.
Claire looked at him.
“Ethan—”
Alexander watched them with satisfaction.
“Your marriage seems to be another casualty of Claire’s ambition.”
Ethan forced himself to remain still.
“That has nothing to do with the evidence.”
“It has everything to do with credibility.”
Alexander turned toward the directors.
“This woman manipulated my son, accepted an improper promotion, and fabricated allegations after their relationship deteriorated.”
Victor slammed his hand on the table.
“You authorized Meridian.”
Alexander’s expression did not change.
“Be careful.”
“I spent six years cleaning your crimes.”
“You spent six years enjoying the power they gave you.”
Federal agents entered the boardroom.
The lead agent announced that Langley Global’s records and executive communications were being seized.
For one brief moment, Ethan believed the nightmare was ending.
Then the agent walked directly toward Claire.
“Claire Carter, you are under arrest for conspiracy, corporate espionage, and the murder of Rebecca Sloan.”
Ethan stared at him.
Claire’s face went blank.
“That’s impossible,” Victor said.
The agent placed handcuffs around Claire’s wrists.
Margaret watched silently.
Ethan stepped forward.
“Rebecca sent us a message three days ago.”
The agent held up an evidence bag containing a bloodstained scarf.
“Rebecca Sloan’s blood was found inside Mrs. Carter’s vehicle.”
Claire shook her head.
“It was planted.”
Alexander smiled at Ethan.
“Everyone says that when the truth becomes inconvenient.”
As Claire was led from the room, she looked back at Ethan.
“Daniel is here.”
Ethan froze.
“What?”
“I saw him through the glass before they entered.”
Ethan turned toward the observation room beside the boardroom.
A man stood behind the darkened window.
May you like
For one second, Ethan saw his brother’s face.
Then the lights went out.
