Chapter 11 - You're Fired
Claire's petition described Nicholas as confused, aggressive, medically unstable, and vulnerable to manipulation by "a recently hired caregiver with financial motives."
Hannah read the paragraph twice.
"That's me."
"You sound terrible on paper," Nicholas said.
She looked at him.
"This isn't funny."
"If I don't laugh, I start breaking things. Apparently you disapprove."
Walter's attorney said the petition was weak but dangerous.
"If she gets an emergency order, even temporarily, she can restrict access, control medical decisions, and challenge transactions."
"She wants me trapped in my own house," Nicholas said.
"She wants you legally helpless," Hannah replied.
By noon, Claire escalated.
Two county deputies arrived after she reported a missing diamond bracelet and controlled medication.
Both were found in Hannah's overnight bag.
Hannah stared at the items on her bed.
"Those are not mine."
Claire stood in the doorway, shaking her head sadly.
"I defended you. I told them there had to be a misunderstanding."
Hannah turned on her.
"You planted them."
"Be careful."
"No. You be careful."
Nicholas rolled into the hall.
For one second Hannah expected him to destroy Claire's story in front of everyone.
Instead, he looked at Hannah and said, "Pack your things."
The words hit harder than she expected.
"Nicholas?"
"You're fired."
Claire's eyes widened with delighted surprise.
Hannah searched Nicholas's face.
Nothing.
Cold. Final. Distant.
"Fine," she said.
She packed with hands that would not stop shaking.
Ethan was furious.
"He knows you didn't steal anything."
"Get your coat."
"He's a jerk."
"Ethan."
"A rich jerk."
Hannah did not defend Nicholas.
She was afraid she might cry if she tried.
At the front gate, Walter's car rolled beside them.
"Get in," he said.
"I have had enough people telling me to get into cars."
Walter held out a phone.
"Listen first."
Nicholas's recorded voice played from the speaker.
"Hannah, if you're hearing this, Claire believed the firing. That's the point. The deputies found the bracelet too easily. Someone is watching every room you enter. You are safer outside the estate, and I need Claire to think we turned on each other."
Hannah closed her eyes.
The message continued.
"I'm sorry I didn't warn you. You would have argued. Loudly."
Ethan whispered, "He's right."
Hannah shot him a look.
Nicholas's voice lowered.
"You are the only person in that house I trust without qualification. Please don't make me regret saying something that embarrassing."
The recording ended.
Walter handed Hannah a second phone.
On the screen was a live video feed from a tiny camera hidden inside Nicholas's study.
Claire had just entered.
Dominic was with her.
He placed a document on Nicholas's desk.
May you like
Claire uncapped Nicholas's father's fountain pen.
Then Dominic said, very clearly, "By tomorrow night, he'll be too sedated to know what he signed."
