Chapter 2: The Name on the Screen
Part 2 ⬇️
Security reached the ballroom doors before Derek moved.
He looked at the two men in dark suits, then back at me.
Something shifted behind his eyes — not guilt.
Calculation.
"This is a misunderstanding," he said, loud enough for the room to hear.
"Claire, whatever you think you found—"
"The payments are documented," I said.
"Every transfer.
Every vendor.
Every date."
His jaw tightened.
"You had no right to investigate me."
"I had every right." I kept my voice steady.
"I'm the majority owner.
I've been the majority owner for six hours."
Vanessa hadn't moved.
She stood with both hands pressed flat against the sides of her dress, as if she could make herself smaller.
The earrings caught the light every time she breathed.
Malcolm stepped closer to the microphone.
"Mr.
Bennett, the board will require your access credentials before you leave tonight."
Derek laughed.
It came out wrong — too sharp, too fast.
"You think this is over?" He looked directly at me.
"Claire.
You don't know what you've started."
I held his gaze.
"I know exactly what I've started, Derek."
Then his phone lit up on the table beside him.
He glanced down.
His face changed completely.
Whatever name was on that screen — it wasn't one I recognized.
But it was one he was terrified I would see.
---
What was on Derek's phone — and who was calling him at that exact moment?
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The full story is in the link below.
Click to read what Claire discovered next.
