Chapter 5 - The Overheard Treachery
The heavy metal door of the wall safe clicked and swung open. Claudia reached inside and pulled out a thick manila folder. As she did, she reached into a hidden pocket in the folds of her dress and pulled out a sleek smartphone. She dialed a number, pressing the phone to her ear as she rapidly flipped through the documents.
"It's me," Claudia whispered sharply into the phone, her voice completely devoid of the sugary sweetness she used in public. "Yes, I'm in the study. I have the power of attorney papers right in front of me."
Leo’s heart began to race. He reached into his own tuxedo jacket and pulled out his smartphone—a recent birthday gift from his father. He remembered his mother’s stern advice from a few weeks ago when they had witnessed a car accident: “When adults do bad things, Leo, words aren't enough. The truth always needs proof.” His thumb hovered over the screen, and he silently tapped the voice memo app, hitting the red record button.
"Everything is going exactly to plan," Claudia continued, her tone dripping with venomous triumph. "Adrian is completely clueless. He actually believes I love him. It's pathetic, really. As soon as the ceremony is over and the marriage certificate is filed, he's promised to sign this power of attorney as a gesture of 'ultimate trust.'"
She let out a low, cruel laugh that made the hair on the back of Leo’s neck stand up.
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"Once he signs it, I have legal authorization to transfer the majority shares of Vance Enterprises. When everything is securely in my name and the offshore accounts are funded... I'm filing for an expedited divorce. I'll take the company, the manor, and leave him with absolutely nothing. Just have the transfer documents ready on your end for tomorrow morning."
Leo’s hands shook as the recording app captured every single damning word. He was holding a digital bomb, and he knew it.
