A Scandal Built for the Cameras
Chapter 08 - A Scandal Built for the Cameras
Gabriel moved Clara and Isabelle to a private hotel floor guarded by former federal agents. Neither sister slept. Every elevator bell sounded like a threat, and every unknown number brought the possibility that Ethan had been found.
Daniel refused to publish the recovered recording until Ethan was safe. “A headline could force Victoria to panic,” he said. “Or it could make her erase the last witness.”
Victoria used the silence as a weapon.
She appeared on morning television wearing pale blue and speaking softly about betrayal. She described Clara as a disturbed stranger who had invaded a grieving family. She suggested Daniel had created false evidence for a career-making story. She even cried while asking viewers to pray for Gabriel.
Public opinion turned again.
Then the hospital announced that a vial of Gabriel’s altered medication had been discovered in Clara’s locker. Police arrived at the hotel with a warrant.
Clara knew the evidence had been planted, yet she also knew running would make Victoria’s story complete. She handed Daniel Rose’s letter and Amelia’s documents before allowing the officers to take her.
At the station, detectives showed her security footage of someone wearing her coat entering the medication room. The woman’s face was hidden, but her height and walk looked convincing.
“You had access, motive, and a new inheritance,” the lead detective said.
“I had a father for three days,” Clara replied. “Why would I kill him?”
Across the city, Gabriel prepared to speak to reporters in Clara’s defense. Before he reached the cameras, he collapsed in the hotel lobby.
Clara learned about it from a television mounted above the interrogation room door. Paramedics carried Gabriel away while Victoria pushed through the crowd, crying his name.
The detective placed handcuffs on Clara. “Gabriel Sterling is in a coma. You are under arrest for attempted murder.”
At the hospital, Isabelle demanded to see her father, but Victoria had already used an emergency power of attorney to block access. Marcus called a special board meeting for the following morning. With Gabriel incapacitated and Clara jailed, Victoria would control the family votes through Isabelle.
She entered Isabelle’s room after midnight and laid a document on the bed.
“Sign this,” Victoria said. “Transfer your proxy to me, and I will make sure your sister receives a reasonable sentence.”
Isabelle looked at the woman who had raised her.
May you like
Then she smiled as if surrendering.
“Of course, Mother,” she said, reaching for the pen.
