Chapter 31 - The Confrontation
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Victor Vance joined us, stepping up beside my father with a suave, predatory posture.
"Clara, my dear," Victor murmured, offering a thin, fake smile. "It is poor taste to crash a corporate celebration. Especially considering the legal cloud currently hanging over your late husband’s estate."
"Ethan isn't late, Victor," I said, leaning in slightly, watching his eyes widen with a flash of genuine panic. "In fact, he sends his regards."
Arthur grabbed my elbow, his grip tight enough to leave bruises through the fabric of my dress.
"Where is he?" Arthur demanded in a sharp whisper. "What did he put you up to, Clara? He is using you! Just like he did six years ago!"
"Let go of me, Arthur," I said coldly, glaring at his hand until he reluctantly loosened his grip under the watchful eyes of nearby guests.
"You think you know Ethan?" Arthur hissed, leaning down to my ear. "You think he's the hero in this story? Who do you think leaked your location to Victor's men in Boise six months ago? It wasn't me, Clara. Ethan set up his own crash because he was broke! He needed the insurance payout from Walker Holdings to settle his gambling debts in Macau!"
A cold spike of doubt drove deep into my chest. Macau? Ethan had never mentioned Macau.
Suddenly, my earpiece crackled with static. Ethan's voice whispered softly in my ear:
"I'm in the server room, Clara. Uplink initiated. Three minutes until global broadcast. Keep them talking."
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I forced my face to remain expressionless, staring straight into my father's cold eyes.
"Nice try, Dad," I said aloud. "But your lies don't work on me anymore."
