Chapter 5 - Shadows and Threats
For the next three days, Ethan played the part of the broken, overwhelmed father to perfection.
He allowed Marcus to manage the corporate preparations for the gala. Whenever Marcus visited Cole Manor, Ethan acted exhausted, constantly leaning on Marcus for advice, pretending that managing a newborn while grieving Claire was pushing him to his absolute mental limits.
Marcus fell for the act completely.
On Thursday afternoon, Marcus stood in Ethan’s study, holding a stack of corporate documents.
“Ethan,” Marcus said, his tone dripping with fake sympathy. “You look terrible, my friend. You shouldn't be burdening yourself with the company right now. Let me present the quarterly report at the gala tomorrow night. You stay home with little Sofia.”
Ethan sat behind his desk, holding an empty teacup, his eyes looking unfocused and tired. “I don't know what I would do without you, Marcus. You’ve handled everything so well since Claire passed.”
“That’s what I’m here for,” Marcus smiled, sliding a paper across the desk. “I just need you to sign this temporary delegation order. It gives me full voting authority for tomorrow’s board session before the gala.”
Ethan picked up his pen. He glanced at the paper—it was the final document Marcus needed to complete his corporate takeover.
Ethan signed it with a trembling hand, handing it back. “Take care of the company, Marcus.”
“I will, Ethan,” Marcus said, clutching the paper like a trophy. “You have my word.”
As soon as Marcus left the study and the sound of his sports car echoed down the driveway, Ethan’s weary posture instantly vanished. He stood up straight, his eyes sharp and clear.
He pressed a button on his intercom. “Jack, did you record that?”
“Audio and video feed captured in high definition,” Mercer’s voice came through the speaker. “We also just intercepted a phone call Marcus made from his car thirty seconds ago.”
“Play it,” Ethan commanded.
A digital audio file clicked open. Marcus’s voice filled the room, sounding arrogant and thrilled:
“It’s done. The fool signed the delegation order. He’s completely unraveled over the baby. Tell Dr. Vance at Saint Matthew’s to pack his bags and get on the private flight to Cabo tonight. Once the gala starts tomorrow, nobody can reverse this.”
Ethan listened to the recording, his lips curling into a cold line.
“Dr. Vance,” Ethan murmured. “The chief of emergency obstetrics at Saint Matthew’s who signed Claire’s fake baby death certificate.”
“My team is already positioned at the private airfield in Nashville,” Mercer reported. “Dr. Vance won't be boarding any flight to Cabo tonight. He’ll be in a federal interrogation room by sunset.”
“Good,” Ethan said. “Make sure Dr. Vance understands that his only way to avoid spending the rest of his natural life in a maximum-security prison is to testify against Marcus Hale tomorrow night.”
“He’ll sing like a canary, Ethan,” Mercer chuckled.
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Ethan walked over to the window, looking out at the gardens. He saw Rosa sitting on a bench under the afternoon sun, holding Sofia in her arms while Lily chased a yellow butterfly around the flower beds.
For eight months, darkness had consumed Ethan’s world. But as he watched his daughter’s tiny hands reach up toward the warm sunlight, he knew the darkness was about to end.
