Chapter 3: The Secret Behind the Screen
“Mrs.
Bennett,” the CEO said, “move aside.”
Mom lifted her chin.
“You have no right to search my daughter’s phone.”
The CEO held out her hand but did not touch Vanessa.
“My name is Evelyn Hart.
Meridian’s security system identified an unauthorized login involving Claire’s account.
Vanessa can cooperate, or our legal department can preserve the device through official channels.”
Vanessa shoved the phone into her handbag.
“You’re frightening my mother over an email.”
“You sent it in Claire’s name,” Dad said.
“You don’t know that.”
“I watched you typing while the dean was speaking.”
Mom turned on him.
“Not now, Richard.”
Dad’s jaw tightened.
“When, then?
After she ruins Claire’s career?”
The ballroom had gone so quiet that I could hear Vanessa’s bracelet tapping against her bag.
Evelyn looked toward a woman waiting beside the stage.
“Leah, please come here.”
The woman approached with a tablet.
“I’m Leah Grant, Meridian’s director of digital security,” she said.
“The withdrawal came through Claire’s personal email.
The sender entered the correct password on the first attempt.”
I looked at Vanessa.
“How did you get my password?”
“I didn’t.”
“You used my name, my email, and my employee number.”
Vanessa’s eyes darted toward Mom.
Mom reached for my hand.
“Claire, please.
Let us discuss this privately.”
I pulled away.
“You held me while she tore up my offer.
What else are you hiding?”
“She made a mistake.”
“No,” Evelyn said.
“Someone also attached confidential Meridian files to a second message.”
Vanessa’s mouth opened, but nothing came out.
“What second message?” I asked.
Leah turned the tablet toward Evelyn.
“It arrived thirty seconds ago.”
Evelyn read it, and the warmth disappeared from her face.
“What does it say?” I asked.
She handed me the tablet.
The message appeared to come from my account.
I HAVE PROOF EVELYN HART BRIBED THE UNIVERSITY TO HIRE ME.
IF MERIDIAN DOESN’T PAY, I’LL RELEASE THE FILES.
My knees weakened.
“I didn’t write this.”
Vanessa gave a brittle laugh.
“That’s what guilty people always say.”
“You just claimed I had withdrawn.”
“Maybe you changed your mind.”
Evelyn looked at Leah.
“Are the attachments genuine?”
“Some appear to come from our internal server.”
A murmur moved through the ballroom.
Phones rose from tables, their cameras pointed at me.
Mom caught my elbow again.
“Claire, leave before this gets worse.”
I stared at her fingers on my sleeve.
“You knew another message was coming.”
“No.”
“Then why aren’t you surprised?”
Vanessa moved beside her.
“Because Mom knows what you’re really like.”
Dad stepped between us.
“Enough.
Vanessa, unlock the phone.”
“You can’t order me around.”
“No, but I can stop protecting you.”
Her face changed.
“What does that mean?” Mom whispered.
Dad reached inside his jacket and removed his phone.
“It means I recorded what Vanessa said in the hallway before the ceremony.”
Vanessa lunged for it, but Leah blocked her path.
“Don’t,” Leah warned.
Dad pressed play.
Vanessa’s voice filled the ballroom.
Once Claire opens the announcement, send the second message.
Mom already gave me what you needed.
The recording ended beneath Vanessa’s ragged breathing.
I turned to Mom.
“What did you give them?”
May you like
Vanessa’s smile returned, thin and desperate.
“Ask her where I got Meridian’s files.”
