Chapter 10: The Secret Ally
Chapter 10: The Secret Ally
Stripped of her position and barred from entering Vance Enterprises, Clara was forced to work from her small apartment. The media circus outside her building was relentless, but Clara refused to hide.
Late one rainy evening, as Clara was analyzing the forged financial documents line by line, a text message arrived from an unknown number.
If you want to know who really created the offshore accounts, meet me at the old waterfront warehouse in twenty minutes. Come alone.
Clara knew it could be a trap, but it was the only lead she had. She put on a dark raincoat and left through the back exit of her apartment building, dodging the reporters waiting out front.
The waterfront warehouse was cold, dark, and filled with the gentle rhythmic sound of rain beating against the corrugated iron roof. Clara walked slowly into the dimly lit space, her pulse racing.
"Clara..." a voice whispered from behind a stack of wooden crates.
A woman stepped into the dim light. Clara’s eyes widened in surprise. It was Evelyn, Victoria Vance’s former personal secretary who had been abruptly fired right before Victoria’s arrest.
"Evelyn?" Clara asked cautiously. "What are you doing here?"
"I don't have much time," Evelyn said nervously, looking over her shoulder. "Marcus Sterling’s men are looking for me. They know I have the master files."
"What master files?"
"Victoria didn't act alone," Evelyn revealed, her voice shaking. "Years ago, before Victoria was caught, she was working with Harrison Cole. Harrison was the real architect of the embezzling scheme! When Victoria was arrested, Harrison panicked. He made a secret deal with Marcus Sterling to throw Victoria under the bus and take total control of Vance Enterprises!"
Clara was stunned. "Harrison Cole? Arthur’s most trusted Vice President?"
"Yes!" Evelyn pulled a small, heavy silver flash drive from her pocket and handed it to Clara. "This drive contains the original encrypted transaction logs. It proves Harrison created the Cayman account using your stolen identity to frame you and push Arthur out!"
Suddenly, the headlights of two SUVs illuminated the dark warehouse, cutting through the shadows. The sound of heavy footsteps echoed toward them.
"She’s in here! Get the drive!" a harsh voice shouted.
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"Go! Run through the fire escape!" Evelyn yelled, pushing Clara toward a narrow metal door.
Clara sprinted into the pouring rain, holding the flash drive tightly against her chest. She leaped into her car, started the engine, and sped off into the night just as two men burst out of the warehouse behind her.
