Chapter 3 - The Woman at His Side
Claire slowly turned back.
Madison was gripping the edge of the table with both hands.
Ethan stepped between them. “She’s drunk.”
“I had half a glass of champagne,” Madison said.
“Then you’re confused.”
“No. I’m done being confused.”
Arthur quietly signaled one of his assistants to move closer.
Claire studied Madison. Up close, the glamorous confidence had vanished. Her eyes were bright with panic.
“What is the worst part?” Claire asked.
Madison swallowed. “He used your name.”
Ethan grabbed her wrist.
Arthur’s voice hardened. “Take your hand off her.”
Ethan released Madison immediately, aware now that half the room was watching.
Madison rubbed her wrist. “He said you approved everything.”
“Approved what?”
“Loans. Guarantees. Vendor contracts. I saw documents with your signature.”
Claire felt the floor tilt under her, but her face did not change.
She had signed almost nothing for Meridian in eighteen months.
Arthur asked, “Do you have copies?”
Madison looked at Ethan.
He stared back with a warning so obvious that even Claire’s anger cooled into something more focused.
Fear.
Not jealousy. Not humiliation.
Fear.
Madison nodded. “Some.”
Ethan laughed bitterly. “This is unbelievable. She’s trying to save herself.”
“From what?” Claire asked.
No one answered.
A waiter approached, saw the tension, and immediately backed away.
Madison lowered her voice. “I handled special projects for Ethan. He told me the paperwork was part of a restructuring. He said you knew.”
“What projects?”
“The Rivergate acquisition. The Arizona land deal. The Beacon municipal contract.”
Arthur’s eyes narrowed at Beacon.
Claire noticed.
“What?” she asked him.
“Beacon is under federal review,” he said.
Ethan’s jaw tightened.
Madison stared at Arthur. “Federal?”
Claire’s pulse kicked hard.
The Beacon contract was a $210 million public infrastructure project. Meridian had won it eight months ago after a bidding fight that had made business headlines.
Arthur turned to Ethan. “Did you route funds through outside consultants connected to Beacon?”
“I’m not answering you.”
“Good,” Arthur said. “You should probably stop answering anyone until you have counsel.”
Claire put on her coat.
Madison rushed after her.
“I have a flash drive,” she whispered.
Claire stopped again.
“Where?”
Madison’s eyes moved toward Ethan.
“Not here.”
Then Claire’s phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
She opened the message.
A photograph filled the screen.
It showed Arthur entering Claire’s townhouse that afternoon.
May you like
Under it were six words:
YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT THIS ALONE.
