Chapter 7 - The Price of Betrayal
The celebration ended within twenty minutes.
Guests left in small groups, speaking quietly as they passed Robert and Marla. Nobody offered him support.
The company directors gathered inside the resort conference room.
Robert demanded entry.
Margaret blocked the door.
“You have been temporarily suspended from all executive duties.”
“I am the chief executive.”
“You were the chief executive.”
Robert raised his cane as though he might strike the floor, but the sight of resort security stopped him.
Marla remained beside him only until she finished reading the financial summary.
“What does the account freeze mean?” she asked.
“It means the penthouse, vehicles, and gifts purchased through the consulting companies may be recovered,” Margaret explained.
Marla touched the bracelet.
“And this?”
“Stolen property.”
Marla immediately removed it.
She held it out to Evelyn, who had just entered from the terrace.
“I didn’t know,” Marla said.
Evelyn did not take the bracelet.
“You knew it came from my safe.”
“Robert said it belonged to him.”
“And you wanted to believe him.”
Marla placed the bracelet on a nearby table.
Her confidence had disappeared.
She turned toward Robert.
“You lied about everything.”
Robert pointed toward the door.
“Go back to the penthouse.”
Margaret responded before Marla could.
“She cannot. A court representative is securing it now.”
Marla stared at Robert with open disgust.
“You promised me a future.”
Robert said nothing.
Marla left the resort alone, still wearing the gold gown she had chosen for her public victory.
Robert watched her go.
Then he faced Evelyn.
“Fifty years,” he said. “Does that mean nothing to you?”
Evelyn’s voice remained quiet.
“It meant enough for me to forgive you more times than you ever knew.”
“Then forgive me again.”
“This is not one mistake. It is a year of choices.”
Robert’s shoulders lowered.
May you like
For the first time, he appeared his age.
But Evelyn no longer confused weakness with remorse.
