Chapter 8 - Clause Forty-Two
Harrison lunged forward, his hands shaking so violently he almost tore the paper as he dragged it across the table.
Margaret rushed to his side, squinting through her panic at the crisp black ink.
"'In the event that the designated trustee commits fraud, misappropriates charitable assets, or enters into gross ethical misconduct...'" Harrison read, his voice fading into an incoherent rasp.
Claire continued the text from memory, without looking down once:
"'...all voting proxy rights, management authority, and fiduciary control of the Holloway Family Irrevocable Trust shall immediately and irrevocably transfer to the trustee's legally recognized spouse, Claire Holloway, provided she maintains active corporate certification.'"
The dining room erupted into chaotic murmurs.
"No," Margaret breathed, clutching her chest. "No, no, no! Charles would never do that! He loved Harrison! You tricked him! You seduced an old dying man into signing this!"
"Charles Holloway was sharper on his deathbed than you will ever be in your entire life, Margaret," Claire said coldly. "He protected this company from you. And for the last three months, while you two were busy planning dinner parties and buying luxury cars for Vanessa, I had the trust's forensic team certify every single violation."
Vanessa suddenly stood up from the table, backing away toward the foyer, clutching her silver dress around her shoulders.
"I have to go," Vanessa stammered, tears ruining her heavy mascara. "Harrison, don't call me. I didn't know about any of this. I’m leaving."
"Vanessa, stay right there!" Harrison yelled, but she didn't look back. The click of her heels vanished down the hallway toward the private elevator.
Claire slowly stood up from her chair.
In her immaculate white gown, standing tall under the crystal lights, she looked every bit like the sovereign ruler of the room. Harrison looked like a beggar in a ruined tuxedo.
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👉 Watch Harrison Holloway’s final collapse in PART 9!
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