Chapter 8 - CHLOE'S SECRET PHOTOGRAPHS|
Chloe arrived at Evelyn's office on a rainy Tuesday morning.
She wore no designer sunglasses and carried no expensive handbag. Her makeup was minimal, and she looked as though she hadn't slept.
Evelyn nearly refused to see her.
Then Chloe mentioned the financial transfers.
Sarah agreed to attend the meeting, but she insisted that Evelyn establish clear boundaries before anyone discussed evidence.
Chloe sat opposite her.
"I know you hate me."
"I don't know you well enough to hate you," Sarah replied. "But I know what you did at the gala."
Chloe lowered her eyes.
"I was cruel. I wanted you to feel small because I was tired of hearing that I was the reason Daniel couldn't be happy."
"Were you?"
Chloe looked up.
"Yes. But not in the way I thought."
She explained that Daniel had promised her a future together. He had claimed his marriage was finished, his finances were secure, and the company was preparing to separate from several risky investments.
She had believed him.
Then she discovered that her apartment, car, and jewelry had been paid for through company accounts that were now under scrutiny.
"I found the photographs while trying to prove that Daniel had given me those things as personal gifts," she said. "My attorney told me to preserve everything."
Evelyn examined the images.
One showed Daniel meeting a property developer in a private dining room. Another captured a stack of documents bearing the logo of a company that appeared in Thomas Reed's audit records.
The third photograph showed Daniel handing a thick envelope to a man whose face was partially visible.
"Who is he?" Sarah asked.
"His name is Richard Hale. He used to advise the company on acquisitions."
Evelyn looked up.
"Used to?"
"He disappeared from the business about a year ago. Daniel told everyone he'd retired."
Chloe opened another folder.
"This is the part I was afraid to tell anyone."
Inside were screenshots of messages between her and Daniel.
One message read:
Once Sarah signs the settlement, we can close the old accounts and move the remaining money. Nobody will question a clean divorce.
Another said:
Keep her emotional. If she becomes suspicious, remind her that stress is dangerous for the baby. She won't risk a fight.
Sarah felt sick.
The messages showed that Daniel had deliberately used her pregnancy as leverage.
Chloe looked at her.
"I didn't know he was planning to use your signature. I swear I didn't."
"You knew he was cheating," Sarah said.
"Yes."
"You knew he was humiliating me."
Chloe swallowed.
"Yes."
"And you still came to the gala."
Tears filled Chloe's eyes.
"I thought if I became his wife, he'd eventually treat me differently."
Sarah sat back.
"Why should he?"
Chloe had no answer.
Evelyn gathered the photographs.
"We'll verify these before relying on them. If they are authentic, they may be important."
Chloe stood.
"I don't expect you to forgive me."
"Good," Sarah replied. "Because forgiveness isn't something you can demand from the person you hurt."
Chloe nodded and left.
After the meeting, Sarah stared at the messages again.
Daniel hadn't simply cheated.
He had planned to use her fear, her pregnancy, and her reputation to silence her.
Her phone vibrated.
A news alert appeared.
BENNETT HOLDINGS ANNOUNCES EMERGENCY BOARD MEETING AFTER INTERNAL FINANCIAL CONCERNS.
Sarah read the headline.
Then she called Evelyn.
May you like
"It's starting," she said.
And for the first time, she wasn't the person being summoned to explain herself.
