Chapter 9
Claudia refused to release the full recording.
Her attorney argued the clip already spoke for itself.
Mark had hit Sarah.
Mark had concealed it.
Mark had lied.
For the first time, Claudia was no longer defending her husband.
She was offering him.
Richard watched her across the conference table.
“You spent fourteen months protecting him.”
Claudia’s mouth curved.
“No.”
She leaned back.
“I spent fourteen months controlling him.”
Mark’s hands closed into fists.
Claudia noticed.
She smiled at him.
That was the relationship Richard had missed.
Not love.
Leverage.
Mark whispered:
“You said we'd survive together.”
Claudia’s eyes remained cold.
“We did.”
Richard said nothing.
The silence allowed Mark’s breathing to become audible.
Claudia continued.
“Sarah was going to destroy him anyway.”
Richard looked at her.
“How?”
“She knew about his debts. The affair. The money he was moving without telling you.”
Mark turned sharply.
“Shut up.”
Richard's gaze shifted toward his son.
Another secret.
Mark had been hiding business losses for nearly two years.
Sarah discovered them.
She planned to tell Richard.
Claudia knew.
The affair and the money had both been exposed the same night.
Richard finally understood why Mark had been desperate.
Then Mark looked directly at his father.
“I can get you the full recording.”
Claudia’s composure vanished.
Only for one second.
But Richard saw it.
“How?”
Mark inhaled.
“She keeps a backup.”
“Where?”
Mark looked toward Claudia.
Her hands were perfectly still now.
Too still.
“In the mountain lodge safe.”
Claudia laughed.
“There is no recording there.”
Mark answered without looking away from her.
“Not anymore.”
The room froze.
Richard turned.
May you like
Mark’s voice dropped.
“I moved it before your birthday dinner.”
