Chapter 13 - Mara’s Worst Mistake
The theft case should have collapsed immediately.
It did not.
Helen warned Mara that evidence took time to authenticate.
The video came from a server Bianca had accessed under questionable circumstances.
Edwin Marks could claim another object was placed in the cart.
Prosecutors needed original Bellweather security records.
Whitmore Hospitality’s attorneys delayed.
Grant used the delay.
He filed a civil lawsuit accusing Mara and Julian of conspiracy, defamation and attempted extortion.
Then he released Bianca’s false affidavit to the press.
Bianca admitted publicly through counsel that the affidavit had been signed under pressure and was inaccurate.
That only made headlines worse.
BILLIONAIRE DIVORCE WAR TURNS MAID’S PREGNANCY INTO CORPORATE BATTLE.
Mara stopped reading.
Her union suspended grievance assistance because her case now involved “outside conduct.”
Her landlord informed her that reporters had disturbed neighbors and asked whether she intended to renew.
Every door seemed to close politely.
Then Grant called.
Mara should have hung up.
She didn’t.
“Meet me,” he said.
“No.”
“I can make the theft charge disappear.”
Her heart pounded.
“How?”
“Edwin can clarify the security discrepancy.”
“So he planted it.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“What do you want?”
“The original recorder from Rosa’s grave.”
Mara looked toward Helen’s office door.
The recorder was already secured with counsel.
Grant did not know that.
“Where?”
“My office.”
“Helen comes.”
“No lawyers.”
“Then no meeting.”
Grant paused.
“You think Mercer can protect you? His board votes Friday.”
Mara’s stomach tightened.
“What vote?”
“You should ask him.”
The call ended.
Julian had not told her.
That anger did what Grant intended.
The board was considering removing Julian as CEO pending investigation.
When confronted, Julian admitted it.
“I didn’t tell you because you have enough pressure.”
“You don’t get to decide what truth I can handle.”
“You’re right.”
“Stop saying that after doing the wrong thing.”
He flinched.
Mara walked out.
Then she made the worst decision of the entire fight.
She went to Grant alone.
She told herself she was gathering information.
She told herself she would not give him anything.
She told herself she could control the conversation.
Grant welcomed her into the executive office at 8:00 p.m.
“You came.”
“Don’t enjoy it.”
He offered water.
She refused.
“Drop the theft accusation.”
“I don’t control prosecutors.”
“You control Edwin.”
Grant smiled.
“Interesting allegation.”
“Give me the original Bellweather security footage.”
“And I receive Rosa’s recorder.”
“No.”
“Then why are you here?”
“To see what you’re afraid of.”
His smile widened.
“You.”
Mara laughed.
“No, you aren’t.”
“I’m afraid of what desperate people can make others believe.”
“You forged my signature.”
“Prove it.”
“I was on an airplane.”
“A signature can be applied remotely.”
“Not before a notary who says I appeared in person.”
His eyes flickered.
Mara saw it.
“You didn’t know Elaine would testify.”
Grant’s expression hardened.
Mara had said too much.
She knew it immediately.
“Elaine,” he repeated.
Mara stood.
“I’m leaving.”
Grant moved between her and the door.
Not touching her.
Just blocking it.
“If you want the theft issue resolved, name your price.”
“I don’t want money.”
“Everyone wants money.”
“I want you to admit what you did.”
“To whom?”
“To me.”
“That has no value.”
“It does to me.”
Grant studied her.
“You inherited Rosa’s sentimentality.”
“And you inherited your father’s buildings without inheriting his conscience.”
Grant’s face changed.
Mara pushed harder.
“You stole eleven million dollars using property meant for workers.”
“Eleven?”
His smile returned.
“You still don’t understand the transaction.”
“How much?”
He leaned closer.
“Enough that your mother’s little ledger is embarrassing, not fatal.”
Mara’s blood ran cold.
There was more.
She backed toward the door.
Grant moved aside.
“Think carefully, Mara.”
She left.
Outside, Helen was waiting.
Furious.
“How did you know?”
“Julian’s security detail saw you enter.”
“I told them not to follow me.”
“Yes. Fortunately, they ignored a terrible instruction.”
Mara’s anger flared.
“I got information.”
“You revealed Elaine.”
Mara stopped.
Helen continued.
“You also walked into the office of a man accusing you of extortion without your attorney.”
Mara’s stomach dropped.
Grant had recorded everything.
The next morning, his lawyers released edited audio.
Mara’s voice:
Drop the theft accusation.
Then:
How much?
Then:
I want you to admit what you did.
Grant’s voice:
Name your price.
The edits made the exchange sound like negotiation.
The district attorney’s office requested a formal interview with Mara regarding possible attempted extortion.
Helen closed the email.
“You gave Grant exactly what he needed.”
Mara sat frozen.
She had been so determined not to be helpless that she had become reckless.
Julian entered.
He looked exhausted.
“The board voted.”
Mara already knew from his face.
“I’m suspended as CEO effective immediately.”
Grant had taken her job.
Now, indirectly, he had taken Julian’s too.
For the first time since the cemetery, Mara had no idea what move remained.
Then Helen’s phone rang.
Elaine Porter had disappeared.
May you like
Her house was empty.
And Grant’s company had wired her two hundred thousand dollars that morning.
