Chapter 5 - The Last Dinner
Adrian invited twelve executives to dinner on the night Clara planned to take the agreement.
The timing was unexpected, but it offered an advantage. While Adrian entertained his guests, Clara could enter the office without raising suspicion.
The evening began beneath crystal chandeliers.
Adrian wore his favorite blue suit. Clara wore a white dress he had selected for her because he believed it made her appear delicate.
Throughout dinner, he spoke about loyalty.
“A company is a family,” he said, raising his glass. “Families survive because they understand hierarchy.”
Several executives smiled nervously.
Clara noticed that two board members avoided looking at him. They already knew Evelyn planned to call an emergency vote.
After dessert, Adrian led the guests into the library for drinks.
Clara excused herself.
She entered his office, locked the door, and opened the safe.
The transfer agreement lay inside a black folder.
It authorized the movement of nearly four hundred million dollars into accounts controlled by a company registered abroad. The transfer was scheduled for six the following morning.
Clara photographed every page using the prepaid phone.
Then she sent the images to Evelyn.
Delivered.
Evelyn replied almost immediately.
Leave now.
Clara returned the agreement to the safe. Before she could close it, someone tried the office door.
“Clara?”
Adrian.
She shut the safe and placed the phone beneath a cabinet.
The door handle moved again.
“Open the door.”
Clara unlocked it.
Adrian stood alone in the hallway.
“The guests are leaving,” he said. “Why was the door locked?”
“I needed a moment.”
“In my office?”
“I did not want anyone walking in.”
His eyes moved past her toward the safe.
Clara stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind her.
“Your speech about loyalty was inspiring.”
Adrian did not react to the sarcasm.
“Give me your phone.”
“My phone is upstairs.”
“The other one.”
Clara felt her heartbeat change.
“I do not have another phone.”
Adrian entered the office.
He searched the desk, drawers, and shelves. Then he crouched beside the cabinet and found the prepaid device.
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
Adrian examined the screen.
The photographs had been sent, but the message history remained visible.
Leave now.
He slowly looked up.
“Who is Evelyn?”
Clara said nothing.
Adrian stood.
“What have you done?”
The dinner guests were still in the entrance hall, waiting for their cars. Clara considered shouting, but Adrian stepped between her and the door.
He smiled.
The expression frightened her more than anger.
“You have been spying on me.”
“I found what you stole.”
“I built everything you have.”
“My father funded your company.”
“Your father tried to control me.”
“So you had him killed?”
Adrian’s smile disappeared.
The hidden camera above the archway was recording.
Clara needed him to continue speaking.
She moved into the entrance hall.
Adrian followed.
The remaining executives turned toward them.
“Everyone should leave,” Adrian said.
No one questioned him.
Within minutes, the doors closed behind the final guest.
Only Clara, Adrian, and two members of the household staff remained.
Adrian ordered the staff downstairs.
Then he locked the front doors.
“You think a photograph will destroy me?” he asked.
“It will expose you.”
“I own the investigators, the company, and every lawyer who matters.”
“Not Evelyn Hart.”
For the first time, real panic crossed his face.
He walked to the security panel.
One by one, the camera indicators went dark.
“Now there are no witnesses,” he said.
May you like
Clara looked toward the hidden camera.
There was still one.
