CHAPTER 5 – The Trap Was Never for Jason
The silence inside the penthouse became unbearable.
Vanessa stared at Emily's father as if she had seen a ghost.
"No..."
"You're dead."
Richard Carter smiled calmly.
"That's exactly what I wanted you to believe."
Two FBI agents entered behind him, flashing their badges.
Jason looked from Emily to Richard, unable to understand.
"Emily..."
"You knew?"
Emily nodded slowly.
"I knew someone was trying to steal my family's company."
"I just didn't know it was the woman sleeping beside my husband."
Vanessa's breathing became frantic.
"This is a setup!"
Richard placed a thick folder onto the marble table.
"No."
"It's six years of evidence."
Bank transfers.
Hidden accounts.
Phone recordings.
Security footage.
Every secret Vanessa thought she had buried.
Jason flipped through the pages with trembling hands.
Every few pages...
His own signature appeared.
"What is this?"
Richard answered quietly.
"Forgery."
"Your signature was copied hundreds of times."
"You were never the mastermind."
"You were the perfect distraction."
Jason collapsed into a chair.
"My God..."
"I destroyed my own marriage for someone who was using me."
Vanessa suddenly burst into laughter.
"You still don't understand."
She reached into her designer purse and removed a small black phone.
"You've only seen half the game."
She pressed one button.
Every television inside the penthouse switched on simultaneously.
Breaking News.
CARTER GLOBAL STOCKS COLLAPSE AFTER CEO FRAUD ALLEGATIONS.
Employees rushed out of the headquarters.
Investors panicked.
Billions disappeared within minutes.
Emily stared at the screen.
"What have you done?"
Vanessa smiled proudly.
"I don't need your company."
"I only needed everyone else to believe it was corrupt."
"The market destroys itself."
Richard's face hardened.
"You leaked fake evidence."
Vanessa shrugged.
"Fear is always stronger than truth."
Just then...
Emily's phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
She answered.
A frightened voice whispered,
"Mrs. Carter..."
"They've taken the boy."
The call ended.
Emily's blood froze.
Jason stood up instantly.
"My son..."
May you like
The lawyer looked toward the window.
"They've begun."
