Chapter 5 - Unmasking the Mistress’s Dirty Secrets
While Isaac groveled on the floor, Clover Sinclair saw the writing on the wall. Backing toward the grand French doors leading to the garden, she quietly scooped up her designer handbag, hoping to slip into the shadows.
“Leaving without your severance package, Clover?” Caleb’s voice sliced through the tension.
Clover stopped dead, her back stiffening. She spun around, forcing a tearful expression. “I’m a victim here! Isaac manipulated me! He told me he was getting a divorce! He told me Flora was abusive and mentally unstable! I didn't know anything about his business!”
Caleb laughed out loud—a harsh, mocking sound. He walked over to the central projection screen used earlier for birthday photo slideshows and plugged a flash drive into the console.
Instantly, the giant screen lit up with high-resolution surveillance photos, audio transcripts, and bank records.
“Let’s review the timeline, shall we?” Caleb announced, pacing like a prosecutor before an audience. “Clover Sinclair, real name Clover Jenkins. Three years ago, you operated an extortion ring in Miami targeting married executives. You fled to this city after a real estate developer discovered you were skimming from his escrow accounts.”
Clover’s face went completely ghostly white. “That’s... that’s private information! That’s illegal!”
“What’s illegal is what you did two weeks ago,” Caleb continued, clicking to the next slide.
The screen showed screenshots of encrypted text messages between Clover and a rival corporate developer named Richard Thorne.
Clover: ‘Isaac took the bait. He signed the secondary mortgage papers without reading the fine print. Once the project collapses, Thorne Enterprises can buy the downtown site for ten cents on the dollar.’
Thorne: ‘Good girl. Your five-million-dollar cut is waiting in Panama.’
Isaac snapped his head up from the floor, staring at the screen in pure disbelief. “Clover? You... you were working with Thorne?!”
“Isaac, it’s not what it looks like!” Clover shrieked, backing away as Isaac scrambled up, his face twisted in rage.
“I bought you diamonds! I bought you a penthouse! I whipped my own wife in front of everyone because you cried about a dress!” Isaac screamed, charging toward her. “You used me?!”
Before Isaac could reach her, two of Noah’s tactical guards stepped in, grabbing Isaac by the arms and pinning him back.
“Let me go! She ruined me!” Isaac roared, thrashing wildly.
Flora walked slowly toward Clover. The mistress, who had stood smugly beneath the chandelier less than an hour ago, now trembled like a cornered animal.
“You wanted my life, Clover,” Flora said, her voice smooth and devoid of anger. “You wanted the money, the status, and the Vance name. You can have the name. But as for the money...”
Julian stepped forward, presenting an envelope to Clover. “A grand jury indictment for corporate espionage, grand larceny, and conspiracy to commit fraud. Federal marshals are waiting at the front gates to process your arrest.”
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Clover collapsed against the wall, sliding to the floor in tears, her designer dress ruined by her own smear of black mascara and panic.
“Noah,” Flora said, turning away from the pathetic sight. “Get these people out of my sight.”
