Chapter 12 - Richard Used Everyone's Fear
Richard admitted it.
He needed Emma gone before Margaret could reveal the ledger.
Hale Holdings was failing under hidden debt, lawsuits, and years of patched-over losses.
Charlotte’s shares were the last major unencumbered asset.
If Emma appeared and asserted control, the company could be forced into restructuring.
Celeste stared at him.
“You told me Margaret was going to destroy my chance of seeing my daughter.”
“She might have.”
“You told me to keep her out of the study.”
“Yes.”
“You knew how angry I was.”
Richard looked away.
He had not ordered Celeste to use the strap.
He had simply created the conditions.
That was how he operated.
He let frightened people make terrible choices, then claimed he had never told them exactly what to do.
Ethan stepped closer.
“You used Mom.”
Richard nodded.
“You used Celeste.”
“Yes.”
“You stole from Emma.”
Richard looked at his daughter.
“Yes.”
Sirens sounded outside.
Helen had called the police.
Richard did not run.
For the first time, Celeste did not defend him.
Emma closed the ledger.
“What happens now?”
Ethan answered quietly.
May you like
“Now you decide what happens to your own life.”
It was the first time anyone in the Hale family had offered Charlotte a choice.
