Chapter 5 - The Unraveling
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General Vance pulled a printed paper from the envelope.
"It appears, Ms. Carter," the General said, looking directly at Madison, "that while your sister was working late at the Pentagon to save your family's company, you hired a private detective to track her movements and attempt to find personal leverage against her."
A wave of shocked whispers rippled through the crowd like wildfire.
My father turned to Madison, his voice cracking with sudden horror. "Madison... is this true? Did you hire a detective to follow your sister?"
"No! It's a lie! She's framing me!" Madison shrieked, backing away. "She wants to steal my glory!"
"The email headers were verified by Army Cyber Command," General Vance stated coldly. "The payment was made directly from your corporate account."
Before Madison could spout another lie, the woman in the black dress who had gasped earlier stepped out from the crowd.
"I saw everything that happened tonight," the woman announced loudly to the room. "This woman struck a five-year-old child across the face because he spilled water!"
The server holding the tray stepped up next. "I saw it too. The boy was bumped. He didn't mean to drop the glass. She hit him with full force."
A male Army officer standing near the stage added, "I witnessed the assault as well, General. I will be filing an official report with local law enforcement."
Madison looked around frantically for an ally. She looked at my mother, but my mother turned her head away in shame. She looked at my father, but my father was staring at the floor, his entire body shaking as the horrifying reality crashed down on him.
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Liam peeked out from behind my neck, his little voice echoing in the quiet hall. "You hurt me."
Those three simple words crushed whatever remained of Madison’s composure. She sank back into a chair, completely destroyed.
