Chapter 7 - Voices from the PastThe gravelly, arrogant voice of a much younger Arthur Sterling filled the silent boardroom:
—"You really think the board will believe a foster kid from Spokane over me, Hannah? Sign the confession, pack your bags, and get out of Seattle before I make sure you never work another day in your life."
And then, a younger Hannah Reed’s voice—shaking, but defiant:
—"You stole it, Arthur. You sold the architecture to our competitors behind our backs. I have the backup right here."
—"And who's going to look at it when your name is flagged for embezzlement? Get out, Hannah. Disappear. Because if you ever come back, I won't just ruin your career—I'll finish you."
The audio cut off.
The boardroom was dead silent. You could hear the faint hum of the air conditioning units and the heavy, ragged breathing of Arthur Sterling.
Arthur’s face had drained of all color. His hands trembled on the edge of the mahogany table as he stared up at the screen. He looked twenty years older in a matter of seconds.
"Where..." Arthur choked out, his voice failing him. "Where did you get that?"
Emily stepped forward, placing the leather journal and the vintage diskette gently on the table in front of him.
"From my mother," Emily said, her voice dripping with venom. "The woman you tried to destroy twenty-four years ago. The woman you thought you buried."
Arthur stared at Emily, his eyes widening in absolute horror as the terrifying physical resemblance finally registered in his failing mind.
May you like
"Hannah..." he whispered, his jaw slack.
"No," Emily corrected coldly. "Laura Mercer. My mother. And she left me everything."
