Chapter 15 - The Coward’s Bargain
Elliot raised both hands.
“This was Lucas’s plan.”
Lucas stared at him in disbelief.
“You handled the accounts.”
“Under your instructions.”
“You forged the authorization!”
“You gave me the signature samples.”
The two men turned on each other instantly.
Years of loyalty vanished in seconds.
Elliot claimed Lucas had designed the competency scheme.
Lucas claimed Elliot had created the shell companies.
Each accusation supplied another missing fact.
Margot watched silently.
She no longer needed to force the truth from them.
Fear was doing it for her.
Rebecca recorded the statements and asked Sandra to remain as an independent witness.
Elliot offered passwords to several accounts.
Lucas shouted, “You say another word and I’ll destroy you.”
Margot stepped closer.
“No, Lucas. The silence is what protected you. That’s over.”
He looked at her as though seeing her for the first time.
“You wouldn’t have any of this without me.”
Margot’s expression remained calm.
“I wrote nine novels while you told me I was lucky you tolerated my little career.”
She placed the unsigned agreement on the table.
“You mistook trust for stupidity.”
Lucas’s lips trembled with rage.
Then his eyes moved toward the fireplace.
The original revised will was visible inside Elliot’s open briefcase.
May you like
Lucas grabbed it and reached for the flames.
👉 Before the paper touched the fire, Claire made the most painful choice of her life.
