Chapter 3 - THE FORGED PROXY
The signature was good.
Too good.
Daniel denied forging it.
Sabrina denied forging it.
Claire believed neither and both.
The proxy would have allowed Daniel to vote Claire’s shares for ninety days during the acquisition.
Not ownership.
Not forever.
Just long enough to change three board seats and approve a merger clause.
Ruth said, “This was designed by somebody who understands the company.”
Daniel snapped, “I understand the company.”
“That was not a compliment.”
Claire asked the household staff to preserve every camera recording.
Then she made her first bad decision.
She fired Sabrina.
Immediately.
Ruth told her not to.
Claire did it anyway.
“You used my home, my robe, and apparently my office to prepare unauthorized governance papers. You’re terminated.”
Sabrina went white.
Then angry.
“You always do this.”
“Do what?”
“Decide the room belongs to you because your name is on the building.”
Claire flinched.
Sabrina saw it and kept going.
“You think paying for everyone means you know everyone.”
“That is not an answer.”
“No. It’s the reason Daniel stopped talking to you.”
Daniel said, “Sabrina.”
She ignored him.
Claire’s voice became colder.
“Leave.”
Sabrina laughed once.
“Gladly.”
She went upstairs.
Ten minutes later, security reported that Sabrina’s company laptop was missing.
Claire closed her eyes.
Ruth stared at her.
“I told you not to fire her yet.”
“I know.”
“Now she has the device.”
“I know.”
“You wanted the satisfaction.”
“Yes.”
It tasted terrible.
At midnight, Sabrina’s company credentials were disabled.
At 12:17, someone using an external backup code entered the company’s board portal.
At 12:21, three confidential files were downloaded.
At 12:24, Claire received a text from an unknown number.
May you like
YOU’RE LOOKING AT THE WRONG BETRAYAL.
