Chapter 4 - THE PLAN TO THROW HER OUT
Evelyn finally admitted that Jonathan had approached her three years earlier.
At first, she claimed she only wanted to “teach Clara a lesson.”
But the arrangement had grown.
Jonathan promised Evelyn control of several properties.
She would receive a percentage of the inheritance.
In exchange, she needed to make Richard believe that Clara was irresponsible and dishonest.
“She was always going to inherit,” Evelyn said bitterly.
“I thought if you turned against her, you would change the will.”
Richard stared at her.
“You destroyed your own husband's trust for money?”
“You don't understand.”
“No.”
“I understand perfectly.”
Clara stood silently.
Part of her wanted to scream.
Another part simply wanted to leave.
But then Thomas asked:
“Did Jonathan promise you the house?”
“Yes.”
“Did you create the false theft accusations?”
“Yes.”
“Did you alter any documents?”
Evelyn hesitated.
“Yes.”
“Which ones?”
“The inheritance papers.”
Richard's expression hardened.
“You changed my will?”
“I only changed the preliminary draft.”
“Where is it?”
Evelyn didn't answer.
Richard looked at Thomas.
“Find it.”
The attorney opened his briefcase.
“We already may have it.”
He produced a document recovered from the family office.
The signature looked authentic.
But Thomas shook his head.
“It isn't.”
“What?”
“The signature was copied.”
Richard stared at the document.
He looked at Clara.
“Your stepmother was trying to remove you from the inheritance.”
Clara's voice broke.
“Why did you believe her?”
Richard's face changed.
“I didn't.”
Clara stared.
“Not completely.”
“You never defended me.”
“I was investigating.”
“You watched me suffer.”
“I know.”
“That doesn't make it better.”
Richard lowered his eyes.
For the first time, he looked genuinely ashamed.
“I thought you needed to learn to stand on your own.”
“I was a teenager.”
“I was wrong.”
Clara looked away.
Then Evelyn suddenly shouted:
“Enough!”
Everyone turned.
Evelyn grabbed a vase from the table.
“I won't let you destroy me!”
She raised it.
Richard stepped forward.
“Put it down.”
“You think you can humiliate me?”
Clara backed away.
Evelyn looked toward the door.
She made a sudden move.
But the security guards blocked her.
“Move!”
“No.”
“I am his wife!”
Richard looked at the guards.
“Don't let her leave.”
Evelyn dropped the vase.
It shattered.
She began crying.
“I only wanted a better life.”
Clara looked at her.
“You already had one.”
The police arrived soon afterward.
Evelyn was taken away for questioning.
But before she left, she looked at Clara.
“I never thought he would choose you.”
Clara answered quietly:
“He didn't choose me.”
“He chose the truth.”
Evelyn was gone.
The house became strangely quiet.
Richard stood beside Clara.
“I owe you an apology.”
Clara looked at him.
“You do.”
“I should have protected you.”
“Yes.”
“I failed.”
“Yes.”
He accepted every word.
Then he asked:
“Can you forgive me?”
Clara didn't answer immediately.
“I don't know.”
Richard nodded.
“That's fair.”
For the first time, there was no argument.
No manipulation.
Just truth.
But the investigation had only begun.
Because Jonathan was still free.
May you like
And he had one final move.
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