Chapter 6 - Whispers in the Mansion
Murmurs rippled through the gathered crowd like a sudden wind.
Several high-profile investors began pulling out their phones to take videos.
Margaret rushed to Adrian's side, grabbing his sleeve with trembling fingers.
"Adrian, please, think of the company stock!" Margaret pleaded in a urgent whisper.
"If this gets out tonight, Westwood Global will drop fifty percent by morning!"
Adrian looked down at his mother's hand on his suit jacket.
"You care more about stock value than Claire's life?" he asked softly.
Margaret flinched as if she had been struck across the face.
"That is not fair!" Margaret hissed.
"I loved Claire!"
"Then why did you force Madison into my life the moment Claire died?" Adrian countered.
Margaret opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Behind them, Caleb quietly tried to slip out through the side terrace doors.
Emma saw him moving.
She pointed her little finger at the side door.
"The brother is running away!" Emma said loudly.
Everyone turned toward the terrace doors.
Caleb stopped with his hand on the silver door handle.
A dozen cameras flashed in his face simultaneously.
"Caleb?" Adrian called out, his tone darkening.
"Where are you going?"
Caleb didn't turn around.
"I need some air," Caleb muttered nervously.
"No," Adrian said, stepping off the last stair.
"You stay right here until the police arrive."
Madison suddenly burst into loud, bitter laughter.
"You think you’re so smart, Adrian!" Madison sneered, wiping hair from her face.
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"You think you’ve figured it all out!"
"You don't know half of what really happened three years ago!"
