Chapter 16: The Setup
Chapter 16: The Setup
The atmosphere in the grand dining room the next morning was toxic. The foundation’s board members sat with grim expressions, waiting for Eleanor to present her terms for a buyout. Eleanor sat at the head of the table, looking triumphant, sipping her black coffee.
Clara and Ethan entered the room, looking visibly exhausted and defeated. It was an act, but a convincing one.
"Have you decided to surrender gracefully, Ethan?" Eleanor purred. "Or do I need to call the press and drag your wife's name through the mud a little more?"
Before Ethan could answer, Clara's phone rang loudly. It was the private investigator, but Clara had changed his contact name to St. Jude's Administrator. She answered it on speakerphone, feigning panic.
"Hello? Yes, this is Clara. You found the original files for a boy named Julian?" Clara’s voice trembled perfectly. "Yes... yes, I'll send the police to the orphanage right now to secure them."
Eleanor's coffee cup rattled against its saucer. The color completely drained from her face.
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Clara hung up, looking at the board members. "I'm sorry, gentlemen. We have to pause this meeting. We've just received a tip about a child trafficking ring involving the boy upstairs."
Eleanor stood up abruptly, her chair scraping violently against the hardwood floor. "This is absurd! An obvious delay tactic! Excuse me, I need to make a phone call." She rushed out of the room, her composure entirely shattered.
