Chapter 13 - The Trap
The next evening, Clara returned to the gala.
She wore the same emerald gown.
The tear had been repaired.
The cut on her palm was bandaged.
The ballroom looked exactly as it had before.
But this time, Clara knew where every exit led.
Lorenzo stood across the room in the same black suit.
His gold watch was ticking again.
9:16.
Clara watched the second hand move.
9:17.
Nothing happened.
She smiled.
The watch had never stopped because of an attack.
Lorenzo had stopped it himself.
He had needed the exact time to match his father's hidden message.
Their plan depended on one thing.
Making Martin believe they had found everything.
Richard stood near the stage.
Nathan stood beside him.
Then the doors opened.
A gray-haired man entered.
Martin Vale.
Older.
Calm.
Alive.
Clara's heart pounded.
Martin looked directly at her.
Then at Lorenzo.
He smiled.
“You've been busy.”
Lorenzo didn't move.
“You killed my father.”
Martin's smile disappeared.
“No.”
“You destroyed his investigation.”
“I protected an empire.”
“You stole from my family.”
Martin looked toward the guests.
“Your family built that empire with money they never earned.”
Clara stepped forward.
“Then why were you hiding it?”
Martin looked at her.
“You are very brave.”
“No.”
Clara held up the audit report.
“I'm very tired.”
She dropped it onto the table.
The pages spread across the polished surface.
Bank records.
Property transfers.
Trust agreements.
Every transaction.
Martin stared.
Then laughed.
“You think paper can destroy me?”
Clara smiled.
“No.”
She pointed toward the ceiling.
“People can.”
Martin looked up.
The ballroom screens switched on.
His own voice filled the room.
Every conversation he had ever had with Richard.
Every instruction.
Every threat.
Every admission.
Martin's face finally changed.
Lorenzo looked at Clara.
May you like
She whispered:
“Now we finish it.”
