Chapter 10
That evening, Arthur hosted a private family dinner at their grand penthouse apartment overlooking Central Park.
A large American flag hung elegantly inside the library study, reflecting the warm glow of the city skyline outside.
Clara sat by the fireplace, sipping hot cider while listening to soft classical music playing over the speakers.
Suddenly, her smartphone vibrated on the coffee table, displaying an unknown caller ID from an upstate area code.
She frowned slightly, picking up the phone and pressing it to her ear with hesitation.
"Hello?" Clara answered guardedly.
"Clara... please don't hang up," a frail, trembling voice pleaded from the other end of the line.
It was Evelyn Miller, calling from a public payphone outside the state correctional facility.
"Evelyn?" Clara asked, her voice instantly hardening like steel.
"You are violating your probation terms by contacting me directly."
"I know, I know! But you have to listen to me!" Evelyn sobbed frantically into the receiver.
"Ethan isn't the one who planned the embezzlement from Vance Enterprises!"
Clara paused, her hand tightening around the phone as her heart rate quickened slightly.
"What are you talking about?" Clara demanded sharply.
May you like
"Ethan was manipulated by someone else inside your father's board of directors!" Evelyn revealed in a panic.
"They threatened to ruin Ethan if he didn't transfer those funds last month!"
