Chapter 4 - the locked entrance
Mark looked at the guard’s hand on the door.
“Open it.”
The guard glanced toward Robert.
That hesitation was enough.
Mark took out his phone.
Robert walked calmly into the foyer, followed by the rest of the family.
“There is no need for drama.”
“You told him to block us.”
“I asked my security team to prevent a child from running outside unattended.”
“She is standing beside me.”
Robert turned to the guard.
“You may open the door.”
The guard obeyed.
Cool air entered the foyer.
Mark did not move.
Robert had changed the situation too easily. If Mark left now, he would be reacting to something Robert could deny.
Behind the relatives, Daniel made a subtle movement with his hand.
Wait.
Mark looked down at Ava.
“Go sit on the bench near the entrance.”
“I want to stay with you.”
“You’ll be able to see me the whole time.”
She reluctantly moved to the bench.
Mark faced Robert.
“Who was the woman at Ava’s school?”
Jessica looked at Robert.
Robert’s expression did not change.
“I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“She said she worked for you.”
“People make claims.”
“She spoke to Ava’s teacher.”
“Perhaps the school invited someone from the foundation.”
“Then you would know her name.”
Robert glanced toward the relatives.
“This is what I have been worried about. He takes ordinary events and transforms them into threats.”
Mark understood.
The audience was not the family.
The audience was the recording Robert expected to use later.
He had planned the entire day to make Mark appear paranoid and aggressive.
Mark lowered his voice.
“You should be careful.”
Robert smiled faintly.
“Is that a threat?”
“No. It’s advice.”
“Your mother used to give me advice.”
“And then you removed her name from the company.”
Several relatives looked away.
Robert’s smile vanished.
“She would be ashamed of what you have become.”
Mark felt the old wound open, but this time he did not react.
“That line worked better when I was twenty-four.”
Robert stepped closer.
“I tried to prepare you to lead.”
“You tried to teach me to obey.”
“You walked away from your obligations.”
“I walked away from you.”
Robert’s gaze moved toward Ava.
“But you took company property with you.”
Mark’s body went rigid.
Ava did not understand the sentence.
Daniel did.
He stood abruptly.
“She is not property.”
The room turned toward him.
Robert regarded Daniel with mild surprise.
“I was referring to the shares.”
“No, you weren’t,” Daniel said.
Robert’s eyes narrowed.
Daniel had crossed a line.
Jessica attempted to laugh.
“Everyone is so dramatic today.”
Robert ignored her.
“Why are you here, Daniel?”
“You invited me.”
“I invite many people. Most understand why they have been included.”
Daniel’s hand remained near his pocket.
Mark realized the phone was still recording.
Robert realized it too.
“Give me your phone.”
Daniel’s face went pale.
“No.”
The guards moved.
Mark stepped between them and Daniel.
“Do not touch him.”
Ava stood from the bench.
“Daddy?”
Mark looked back.
“I’m right here.”
Jessica moved toward Ava.
“Come with me, sweetheart. Let the adults talk.”
Ava stepped away from her.
Mark pointed toward Jessica.
“Stay away from her.”
The warning was clear.
For a moment, no one moved.
Then Robert laughed softly.
“Look at you. Surrounded by family, behaving as though you are under attack.”
Mark looked around the foyer.
At the guards.
At Jessica advancing toward his daughter.
At Daniel hiding a recording beneath his jacket.
At the relatives who knew something was wrong but remained silent because Robert controlled their salaries, loans, homes, or secrets.
Mark understood the trap.
Robert had not invited him to sign a document.
He had invited him to demonstrate the behavior Robert planned to describe in court.
Mark walked to Ava and took her hand.
“You’re right,” he told Robert. “We should finish lunch.”
Robert’s satisfaction appeared for only a second.
Mark saw it.
Daniel saw it too.
They returned to the dining room.
May you like
This time, Mark chose the chair closest to his daughter.
And beneath the table, Daniel pressed the button that sent the live recording to an external server.
