Chapter 12 - The Gala Was Never About Charity
Clara finally understood why she had been targeted.
The gala wasn't simply a fundraiser.
It was the public launch of a major property partnership.
Northstar Development was supposed to purchase several foundation properties that night.
If the deal passed, Martin would legally control everything he had been stealing.
The audit threatened that plan.
So Martin needed Clara discredited.
He needed Lorenzo distracted.
And he needed the board to believe the missing money was the result of an internal accounting failure.
Clara looked at the torn emerald gown still hanging in the apartment.
“They wanted me to look unstable.”
Lorenzo nodded.
“The woman who caused a scene at the gala.”
“The woman who attacked someone.”
“The woman who was investigating you.”
Clara looked at him.
“And you?”
“I was supposed to appear protective.”
“Which would make people think we planned it together.”
Lorenzo's eyes narrowed.
“They built the story before the incident happened.”
Clara remembered the shove.
The broken glass.
The man shouting.
Then she remembered the gold dust on her gown.
“Lorenzo.”
He turned.
“The guest who pushed me wasn't trying to hurt me.”
“What?”
“He was trying to place something on me.”
She pulled the torn fabric apart.
A tiny tracking device fell onto the table.
Lorenzo stared.
“They were tracking me.”
“From the moment you entered the ballroom.”
Clara nodded.
“And when you came to help me, they got you into range too.”
Lorenzo understood.
“They wanted to know who I would trust.”
Clara looked at him.
“And now they know.”
A long silence passed.
Then Lorenzo reached for her hand.
Not possessively.
Carefully.
“Are you afraid?”
“Yes.”
He looked surprised.
Clara continued.
“But I'm more afraid of letting them decide what happens next.”
Lorenzo smiled faintly.
“Then we finish it.”
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This time, they wouldn't walk into Martin's trap.
They would build one of their own.
