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THE HALE PORTFOLIO đŸ·âš–ïž / Chapter 7 / 10

Chapter 7 - The Boardroom OverturnWhen I stepped out of the lobby doors holding an umbrella, Dad rushed forward, his clothes soaked, his hair unkempt, looking like a ghost of the arrogant man who had stood at the head of the birthday table.

“Claire!” Dad sobbed, falling onto his knees on the wet pavement. “Claire, my daughter! Please! You have to stop this nightmare! Call off the lawyers! Save your brother!”

I stopped three feet away from him, looking down at my father with quiet, unshakeable dignity.

“Save Victor from what, Dad?” I asked softly. “From the consequences of his own violence? From the laws he thought he was too rich to obey?”

“He’s your brother!” Dad cried, tears mixing with the rain on his face. “We are family! I made a mistake! I should have protected Daniel! I’ll apologize to him! I’ll force Victor to apologize!”

“Apologies don't fix a broken bottle against a man’s skull, Dad,” I said, my voice cold and steady. “And they don't replace the three million dollars Victor stole from hardworking construction workers.”

“Where am I supposed to live, Claire?!” Dad wailed, grabbing at his chest. “They’re auctioning the mansion on Friday!”

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“You can live in a house you can actually afford on your own, Dad,” I replied softly. “Without my grandmother’s money paying for your pride.”

I turned, walked to my car, and drove away, leaving him weeping on the pavement.

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Chapter 8 - Cracks in the Bennett DynastyOn Friday morning at ten o'clock, the foreclosure auction of the Bennett Mansion took place on the steps of the municipal courthouse.
Chapter 9 - The Handcuff VerdictSix months later, the criminal trial of State v. Victor Bennett concluded at the Superior Court.
Chapter 10 - A Legacy of FreedomOne year after the trial.

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