Chapter 5 - "MAKE HER LEAVE"
The audio was faint but clear.
Diane's voice came first.
"You keep letting her think she runs everything."
Ryan answered, "It's her house."
"Only because you were stupid enough to sign that agreement."
A pause.
Then Ryan said, "We're working on it."
I stopped breathing.
Diane lowered her voice.
"Then make her leave. Once she's out, you can say she abandoned the marriage. You need leverage before the sale closes."
Officer Ortiz looked at me.
"What sale?"
I couldn't answer.
Because I had no idea.
Ryan stepped forward. "That's being taken out of context."
Marcus paused the video.
"You can explain the context to the officer."
Ryan glared at him.
Diane moved toward me.
"Claire, sweetheart, listen to me. Families say things when they're angry."
Sweetheart.
She had just tried to hit me with metal.
Now I was sweetheart.
Officer Ortiz ordered her to step back.
I stared at Ryan.
"What sale?"
"Nothing."
"The camera says otherwise."
"It's business."
"Whose business?"
Ryan didn't answer.
That answer was enough.
I had been negotiating the sale of a valuable logistics investment, and closing was scheduled for the following week. Ryan knew what it could pay. He also knew our prenup kept my premarital assets separate.
Leverage before the sale closes.
Officer Ortiz turned to another officer.
"Separate them."
Diane began protesting immediately.
Ryan ignored the police and looked straight at me.
"Don't do anything stupid tonight."
I felt strangely calm.
"Like what? Call my lawyer?"
His eyes flickered.
That tiny reaction told me more than any confession could.
I took out my phone.
Ryan said, "Claire."
I dialed anyway.
My attorney answered on the third ring.
And when I told her what the camera had captured, she asked me one question.
"Is Ryan near your office right now?"
I turned toward the hallway.
May you like
The office door was open.
It had been closed when I came downstairs.
