Chapter 2: The Message on Vanessa’s Phone
The CEO crossed the stage, then stopped when she saw the torn paper beneath Vanessa’s heels.
“Claire Bennett,” she said into the microphone.
“Would you please come forward?”
Vanessa grabbed my wrist.
“She can’t.
She no longer has an offer.”
The CEO’s eyes moved to Vanessa.
“And you are?”
“Her sister.”
Mom hurried to explain.
“This is only a family misunderstanding.”
“No,” Dad said.
“It isn’t.”
I stepped toward the stage, but the CEO raised one hand.
“Before Claire joins me, there is something we need to address.
Twenty minutes ago, Meridian Dynamics received an email claiming she was withdrawing from her position.”
My stomach tightened.
“I never sent that.”
“I know,” the CEO replied.
“Our security team traced it to a device inside this ballroom.”
Vanessa’s face went pale.
Mom looked at her.
“Vanessa?”
“It could have been anyone,” she stammered.
Then her phone lit up in her hand.
A message appeared across the screen:
THE WITHDRAWAL FAILED.
DELETE EVERYTHING.
The CEO descended from the stage and looked directly at Vanessa.
“Please unlock that phone.”
Vanessa stepped backward—and Mom suddenly moved in front of her.
May you like
What Claire learned about Vanessa—and why Mom protected her—was worse than she expected.
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