Chapter 10 - Claire’s Last Recording
Ethan sat down.
Nobody spoke.
Claire continued.
“Ethan, I need you to listen without blaming yourself.”
His jaw shook.
“I found unauthorized transfers totaling eight-point-four million dollars.”
Brooks looked at Ethan.
Claire continued.
“Vanessa isn’t working alone.”
A list of names appeared on-screen.
Three Cole Biotech board members.
A lawyer.
A financial officer.
And one name that made Ethan stand abruptly.
Richard Cole.
His father.
“No.”
Maya looked at him.
“Your father?”
Ethan shook his head.
“He retired five years ago.”
On-screen, Claire’s voice continued.
“Richard believes Ethan is too emotional to run the company. He told Vanessa that if Ethan suffered another personal tragedy, the board could force a leadership change.”
Ethan stared at the screen.
Maya felt sick.
Claire continued.
“I don’t know if Richard knows Vanessa plans to hurt me. I only know he is helping her hide the money.”
Ethan pulled out his phone.
He called his father.
No answer.
Again.
Nothing.
Claire looked straight into the camera.
“There’s something else.”
She held up a document.
“If anything happens to me, protect Noah.”
Maya leaned closer.
Claire’s eyes filled with tears.
“Vanessa has been trying to convince Ethan to change his estate plan.”
Ethan went pale.
“She said it was because Noah was too young.”
Claire continued.
“If Ethan dies before Noah turns eighteen, whoever Ethan appoints as guardian controls the trust.”
Maya looked at Ethan.
“Who did you name?”
He didn’t answer.
Maya already knew.
“Vanessa.”
Ethan whispered, “Last month.”
Brooks cursed under his breath.
“She needed Claire gone first.”
“And then me,” Ethan said.
“And Maya,” Randall added.
Maya understood the entire plan.
Frame the housekeeper for attempted murder.
Remove the only person Claire trusted.
Terrify Ethan.
Make Vanessa indispensable.
Then take control of Noah and the company.
The recording continued.
Claire leaned toward the camera.
“There is one person who can prove what happened.”
Ethan stared.
“Who?”
Claire said the name.
“Dr. Leonard Chase.”
Ethan frowned.
“My father’s cardiologist?”
Claire nodded on the recording as if answering him from the grave.
“He knows Vanessa poisoned Richard.”
Everyone froze.
Ethan whispered, “Poisoned?”
The video ended.
At that exact moment, Ethan’s phone rang.
His father.
He answered instantly.
“Dad?”
No voice.
Only breathing.
Then Vanessa came onto the line.
“Your wife really did leave you everything.”
Ethan stood.
“Where’s Noah?”
“He’s safe.”
“Where’s my father?”
A weak sound came through the phone.
Richard groaning.
Vanessa spoke calmly.
“Bring the memory card.”
“Vanessa—”
“And come alone.”
The line clicked dead.
Then Ethan received an address.
Maya looked over his shoulder.
A private medical clinic outside town.
May you like
Brooks recognized it immediately.
“That’s Dr. Chase’s clinic.”
