Chapter 5 - The Founder Disappears
The next morning, Richard failed to arrive at the office.
By noon, Evelyn announced that he had suffered a medical emergency and needed complete rest at a private clinic.
Claire tried calling him.
His phone was disconnected.
She asked for the clinic’s name, but Evelyn refused to answer.
“This is a family matter.”
“I am family,” Claire said.
Evelyn gave her a cold smile.
“Only by marriage.”
Adrian entered Claire’s office that evening and locked the door behind him.
“My father told you things,” he said.
“He told me he was concerned about the company.”
“Where are his files?”
“I don’t know.”
Adrian walked slowly around her desk.
“You have always wanted to feel important, Claire. My father encouraged that weakness.”
Claire forced herself to remain calm.
“Where is Richard?”
“Recovering.”
“From what?”
Adrian leaned down until his face was close to hers.
“Stress caused by disloyal people.”
His hand rested on the locked drawer where Claire usually kept confidential records.
“Open it.”
“No.”
The pleasant mask disappeared.
Adrian grabbed her arm.
Claire looked down at his hand, then back at his face.
“Let go of me.”
After a long pause, he released her.
“I’m trying to save our marriage.”
“No. You’re trying to save yourself.”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed.
When he left, Claire discovered that her office safe had been opened. The original documents were gone.
Fortunately, the copies were already hidden.
That night, Claire contacted a federal financial investigator named Maya Torres. She explained the stolen pension funds and Richard’s disappearance.
Maya agreed to investigate but warned that they needed direct proof connecting Adrian and Evelyn to the offshore accounts.
Claire had the garage recording, but the flash drive alone might not be enough. Adrian’s lawyers could claim it had been edited.
They needed Adrian to expose himself publicly.
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The corporate gala was three weeks away.
Claire began planning.
