Chapter 4 - A Tense Phone Call That Changes Everything Between Them
At eleven o'clock at night, Daniel finally dialed Claire’s private cell phone number, his hands trembling slightly against the cool glass of his office window.
The phone rang three times before a calm, collected voice answered on the other end of the secure encrypted line.
“Daniel? It’s late. Is everything alright at the corporate office?” Claire asked, her tone entirely even and devoid of panic.
“I just finished reviewing the comprehensive forensic audit report on the Caldwell Consulting accounts, Claire,” Daniel said quietly.
A heavy silence stretched across the phone line for several long seconds, broken only by the distant hum of traffic outside on the street.
“Then you saw the two million dollars routed into my managed escrow account,” Claire stated, confirming his suspicions without hesitation.
“Why didn't you tell me, Claire? Why carry this massive burden and risk your own reputation by hiding it from me?” Daniel asked, his voice cracking.
“Because Marcus had informants inside your legal department, Daniel, and if I had told you verbally, his network would have known within the hour,” she replied.
“I had to isolate the funds in a blind trust that even your signature couldn't touch until the trap was completely set,” Claire added firmly.
Daniel closed his eyes, realizing how close he had come to misjudging the smartest person in his corner.
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“What do we do next?” Daniel asked, dropping all pretense of corporate pride.
“We let Marcus think he’s winning for twenty-four more hours,” Claire whispered before calmly ending the call.
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