Chapter 3
Arthur called Marcus back.
No answer.
He tried again.
The call went straight to voicemail.
“We need to find him,” Clara said.
Arthur contacted the police, but Marcus had already withdrawn his confession and disappeared from his apartment.
Without proof that Vanessa had ordered the planting, the case became weaker.
Without Marcus, it became her word against theirs.
Arthur did not sleep.
At sunrise, he found Ethan sitting under the dining table with his tablet.
“What are you doing down there?”
“Hiding.”
“From whom?”
“Grandma Evelyn.”
Arthur crawled beneath the table and sat beside him.
“She isn’t here.”
“She said she’d take me somewhere safe.”
“I won’t let that happen.”
Ethan stared at the tablet.
“You said Vanessa wouldn’t hurt me, too.”
Arthur felt the accusation settle between them.
“You’re right. I said that, and I was wrong.”
Ethan’s eyes filled with tears.
“I don’t want you to be wrong again.”
Clara found them moments later.
She sat on the floor without asking questions.
Ethan leaned against her.
At exactly ten, the custody evaluator arrived.
Her name was Rebecca Sloan.
She was polite, observant, and impossible to read.
Arthur showed her the house.
Clara explained why she had stayed.
Ethan answered questions in the living room.
Then Rebecca asked to speak with him alone.
Arthur reluctantly stepped outside.
Twenty minutes later, Rebecca opened the door.
“Ethan says he is afraid of Vanessa and Mrs. Cross.”
“Then you understand why they cannot be near him.”
“He also says you struck Vanessa.”
Arthur nodded.
“I did.”
Clara looked at him.
He could have softened the truth.
He refused.
“I saw her raise her hand toward Ethan after assaulting Clara. I reacted. It was wrong to strike her, but I will not pretend it didn’t happen.”
Rebecca wrote something in her notebook.
“Vanessa claims Clara encouraged your anger.”
“She did the opposite.”
“She says you and Clara are romantically involved.”
“We are not.”
Rebecca turned to Clara.
“Do you have feelings for Mr. Hale?”
The question caught her off guard.
“My feelings do not matter.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
Clara remained calm.
“I care about Ethan. I respect his father. There has never been an affair.”
Rebecca looked at Arthur.
“Why did you allow an employee to become your son’s primary emotional support?”
Arthur had no defense.
“Because I was working too much.”
“And preparing to marry a woman your son feared.”
“Yes.”
The honesty seemed to surprise her.
A car stopped outside.
Evelyn entered with Vanessa and another attorney.
Arthur moved toward them.
“You were not invited.”
Rebecca stepped between them.
“I agreed to hear Ms. Cross’s statement.”
Vanessa wore makeup over the bruise on her cheek.
She looked fragile and frightened.
It was an impressive performance.
“I only want Ethan to be safe,” she said.
Ethan backed into Clara.
Vanessa noticed.
A flash of anger crossed her face before she replaced it with sadness.
“See what Clara has done? He used to love me.”
“I never loved you,” Ethan said.
Vanessa’s mouth tightened.
Evelyn touched her daughter’s arm.
“Don’t engage with a coached child.”
Ethan pulled away from Clara.
“She didn’t coach me!”
Rebecca raised a hand.
“That’s enough.”
Vanessa began to cry.
“Arthur has always had a temper. Clara knew how to use it. She wanted me gone.”
Clara stared at her.
“You forced me to kneel.”
“I asked you to calm down.”
“You pulled my hair.”
“I defended myself.”
Ethan suddenly lifted his tablet.
“You’re lying.”
Arthur looked at the screen.
A video was playing.
The image shook because Ethan had recorded it from behind the staircase railing.
Vanessa entered Clara’s bedroom.
Marcus followed her.
She handed him the velvet jewelry box.
“Bottom drawer,” Vanessa said in the recording. “Make sure Arthur sees you find it.”
Marcus looked frightened.
“What if Clara calls the police?”
“She won’t get the chance. Once they find this, she’ll be arrested.”
Vanessa’s recorded voice was clear.
Evelyn’s face hardened.
Arthur crouched beside Ethan.
“When did you record this?”
“Yesterday. Vanessa told me nobody believes children, so I wanted proof.”
Rebecca took the tablet.
Vanessa moved toward her.
“That video was edited.”
Ethan flinched.
Arthur blocked Vanessa.
“Do not go near him.”
Rebecca replayed the recording.
Vanessa looked at Evelyn.
For the first time, her performance collapsed.
“You said the room was empty.”
Evelyn slapped her.
Everyone froze.
Evelyn realized too late what she had revealed.
Arthur stared at her.
“You knew about the plan.”
“I knew nothing.”
“You just admitted it.”
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
“Don’t protect yourself now, Mother.”
Evelyn seized her daughter’s arm.
“Stop talking.”
Vanessa pulled away.
“You planned everything. You told me to make Arthur angry. You said one public mistake would give us leverage.”
Rebecca closed her notebook.
“I’ve heard enough.”
Evelyn turned toward her.
“This family funded your agency.”
Rebecca’s face changed.
“Are you attempting to influence my decision?”
“I’m reminding you who supports your work.”
Rebecca took out her phone.
“I’m documenting that statement.”
Evelyn’s attorney whispered urgently to her.
The older woman stepped back.
“This conversation is over.”
“No,” Arthur said. “It’s beginning.”
He sent the video to the police.
Vanessa stared at Ethan with open hatred.
“You little spy.”
Ethan hid behind Arthur.
Rebecca pointed toward the door.
“Leave now.”
Evelyn and Vanessa walked out with their attorney.
Arthur waited until their car disappeared.
Then Rebecca faced him.
“I will recommend that Ethan remain in your custody.”
Arthur exhaled.
“Thank you.”
“However, this situation is not finished. Your company, your home, and the people around Ethan have all been compromised.”
The front gate suddenly opened.
A police car entered.
Arthur expected officers to arrest Vanessa.
Instead, they walked toward Clara.
“Clara Bennett?” one officer asked.
“Yes?”
“You need to come with us.”
Arthur stepped forward.
“For what?”
May you like
The officer held up a warrant.
“The disappearance of Marcus Reed.”
