Chapter 11: Behind Steel Bars

Chapter 11: Behind Steel Bars

With the encrypted flash drive in her hands, Clara realized she needed one vital piece of information to open the hidden files: the master encryption password created by Victoria before her arrest.

The next morning, Clara sat in the cold, stark visitor’s room of the federal penitentiary. On the other side of the thick glass sat Victoria Vance, wearing a orange prison jumpsuit. Gone was the immaculate designer clothing and haughty demeanor; Victoria looked aged, tired, and defeated.

"Why are you here, Clara?" Victoria asked bitterly through the intercom. "Have you come to gloat over my misery?"

"I came here because Harrison Cole and your brother Marcus are about to destroy everything Arthur built," Clara said calmly. "And Harrison was the one who set you up to take the entire fall while he kept his hands clean."

Victoria’s eyes flared with anger. "Harrison... that hypocrite."

"Harrison and Marcus framed me for embezzling charity funds," Clara explained. "They frozen the funds for the hospital wing. But I have Evelyn’s master flash drive. I just need the decryption key that you created."

Victoria let out a hollow laugh. "Why should I help you? My life is ruined. I am serving fifteen years in this concrete box."

Clara looked deeply into Victoria's weary eyes, speaking with absolute sincerity. "Because despite everything you did to my family, I know you loved this company once. And I know you have a daughter in college who was left with nothing after your assets were seized."

Victoria froze, her breath catching in her throat.

"If you help me uncover the truth," Clara continued gently, "I will personally guarantee that your daughter’s college tuition is paid in full out of my own private earnings. She shouldn't have to suffer for the mistakes of adults."

Tears welling up in Victoria's eyes, breaking through her hardened exterior. For the first time, she saw no vengeance in Clara’s face—only mercy and genuine nobility.

"The password..." Victoria sobbed, wiping her face with her sleeve. "The password is the date my father founded Vance Enterprises... combined with Harrison's personal employee ID number. 1984-HC009."

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Clara smiled softly. "Thank you, Victoria."

"Clara," Victoria called out as Clara stood up to leave. "Make them pay. Don't let them destroy Arthur."