Chapter 10 - Victoria's ConfessionThe scandal raged across financial blogs for forty-eight hours, with Arthur calling an emergency shareholder summit to demand Julian’s immediate resignation. The board was leaning toward capitulation; the reputational risk was deemed too high.
Late that evening, Clara received an unexpected message from a private courier. It was an address to a secluded café in Upper Manhattan, signed simply: Victoria.
Against Marcus’s protests, Clara agreed to meet under heavy security. Victoria sat alone in a corner booth, her designer coat unable to hide how exhausted and pale she had become.
"I don't have much time," Victoria said hastily, pushing a flash drive across the table. "Ethan left his laptop open last night. Arthur promised him a senior partnership at his private hedge fund if he planted those forged invoices."
Clara stared at the drive, astonished. "Why are you giving this to me? Ethan is the father of your child."
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Victoria’s eyes welled with bitter tears. "Because Ethan doesn't care about our child. He cares about staying relevant. I watched him throw you away, and this week I realized he’d do the same to me the second Arthur’s promises dry up. I may be selfish, Clara, but I will not raise my daughter in a house built on malice."
Clara took the drive, her fingers closing tight around it. "Thank you, Victoria. For choosing what’s right."
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