Chapter 9 - The Door Opened
The warehouse lights suddenly came on.
Security officers entered from three directions.
Marcus's men reached for their weapons.
Thomas moved toward Claire.
A guard pulled her free.
“Dad!”
Thomas held her.
He saw the bruising on her wrists.
His expression broke for half a second.
“You're safe.”
Claire shook against him.
“I thought you wouldn't find me.”
“I promised Toby.”
She looked confused.
“Toby?”
“He brought me the drive.”
Claire closed her eyes.
“He did exactly what I told him.”
Thomas looked at her.
“You knew this would happen?”
“I suspected.”
She explained quickly.
She had discovered the financial records.
She realized Evelyn was being forced into the marriage.
She copied the evidence onto the USB.
Then she gave it to Toby because she knew nobody would suspect a child carrying it.
Thomas stared.
“You planned for this.”
“I hoped I wouldn't need it.”
Marcus shouted from across the warehouse.
“You think you've won?”
Thomas turned.
Marcus was being restrained.
He laughed.
“You still don't know what that drive contains.”
Thomas looked at the USB.
“What does it contain?”
Marcus smiled.
“Everything.”
Claire shook her head.
“No.”
Thomas looked at her.
“Dad, the drive isn't just evidence against Marcus.”
“What is it?”
Claire's face became serious.
“It contains proof that someone inside your family helped him.”
Thomas froze.
“Who?”
Claire looked toward Evelyn.
Evelyn stood trembling near the entrance.
Claire whispered:
“That's what I was trying to find out.”
Everyone looked at Evelyn.
She shook her head.
“No.”
Thomas stepped toward her.
“Who?”
Evelyn started crying.
“I didn't know.”
Claire stared at her.
May you like
“You knew enough.”
👉 The rescue had saved Claire, but the USB had revealed that the person who helped Marcus was still standing inside Thomas's own family.
