Chapter 10 - The Leak
Ian’s restaurants became the next battlefield.
The confidential valuation had been prepared for a potential fourth location.
Only four people had received it.
Ian.
His accountant, Valerie.
His operations director, Marcus Lee.
And the bank.
Rebecca advised silence.
“Don’t accuse anyone. Trace access.”
The digital records showed the file had been downloaded twice.
Once by Ian.
Once through Marcus’s credentials at 11:38 p.m.
Marcus denied it immediately.
“I was in Dallas that night.”
Ian looked at him across the restaurant office.
“You could log in remotely.”
“I didn’t.”
Marcus had been Ian’s partner from the beginning.
They had fought, separated financially, reconciled professionally, and remained friends.
The idea that Marcus might be involved felt almost as painful as Judson’s betrayal.
Marcus slid his phone across the desk.
“Check my travel.”
Ian did.
Flight records placed Marcus in Dallas.
Hotel records matched.
But remote access remained possible.
Marcus leaned forward.
“Ian, if I wanted to sell your information, I’d have done it fifteen years ago when we were broke.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the truth.”
Valerie discovered the breach.
Marcus had reused an old password.
Aaron knew it.
Years earlier, when Aaron managed one restaurant, Marcus had temporarily shared access during an inventory emergency.
Nobody had changed the credential.
“It was stupid,” Marcus admitted.
Ian stared at him.
“Yes.”
Marcus nodded.
“I’ll own that.”
Aaron had apparently accessed the system remotely.
Rebecca forwarded the evidence to investigators.
Now the case was no longer simply family misconduct.
Aaron’s actions involved unauthorized computer access and confidential business data.
Tessa panicked.
She left Ian eleven voicemails in one day.
He listened to none.
Then she showed up at Clare’s obstetrician’s office.
Clare walked into the parking lot after an appointment and saw Tessa leaning against a car.
Her stomach tightened.
“What are you doing here?”
Tessa raised both hands.
“I’m not here to fight.”
“You came to my doctor.”
“I knew you had an appointment.”
“How?”
Tessa looked embarrassed.
“Mom mentioned your schedule months ago.”
Clare immediately felt exposed.
“Don’t ever do this again.”
“Please.”
“No.”
“I just need five minutes.”
Clare glanced toward the clinic entrance.
People were nearby.
She stayed.
“Five.”
Tessa looked exhausted.
No glamorous blouse.
No perfect curls.
Just jeans and a sweatshirt.
“Aaron says Ian is going to press charges.”
“Talk to Ian.”
“He won’t answer.”
“That’s because you forged a lease.”
“I didn’t forge it.”
“You used it.”
Tessa looked away.
“That’s different.”
“No. It’s convenient.”
Tessa flinched.
Clare rested a hand under her belly.
“You threw a shoe at me.”
“I know.”
“You laughed when your mother told me to sit on the floor.”
“I was angry.”
“You always say that like anger is permission.”
Tessa’s eyes filled.
“I’m sorry.”
Clare studied her.
“Why?”
“What?”
“Why are you sorry?”
Tessa hesitated.
Because the house was being sold?
Because police were involved?
Because her company was collapsing?
Because she had hurt Clare?
The pause answered.
Clare shook her head.
“You’re scared. That isn’t the same thing.”
Tessa’s mouth tightened.
“You have everything.”
Clare almost laughed.
“You really believe that?”
“You have Ian.”
“He isn’t property.”
“You know what I mean.”
“No. I don’t.”
Tessa’s resentment finally surfaced.
“When he married you, everything became about boundaries.”
“Meaning he stopped paying for things.”
“Meaning he stopped being my brother.”
Clare stepped closer.
“No. He started becoming your brother instead of your parent.”
Tessa went still.
The words landed harder than shouting.
Clare continued.
“You were raised to believe love means rescue. Ian was raised to believe love means sacrifice. Both of you were hurt by that.”
Tessa’s face trembled.
“And what were you raised to believe?”
“That if someone throws a shoe at me while I’m pregnant, I don’t owe them emotional therapy in a parking lot.”
Tessa looked down.
For the first time, Clare almost saw the frightened younger sister beneath the entitlement.
Almost.
Then Tessa said, “If Ian sells Brookfield, Mom will leave Dad.”
Clare frowned.
“What?”
“She’s staying at a hotel.”
“I know.”
“She found things.”
“What things?”
Tessa’s expression changed.
“She didn’t tell you?”
“No.”
Tessa swallowed.
“Then maybe I shouldn’t.”
Clare’s patience ended.
“Say it.”
Tessa looked around.
Then whispered, “Dad has another property.”
Clare stared.
“What property?”
“A townhouse.”
“Where?”
“Westbridge.”
“Why?”
Tessa looked ashamed.
“I thought it was an investment.”
“Who lives there?”
Tessa’s eyes filled.
“I don’t know.”
Clare felt cold.
“Who pays for it?”
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Tessa answered so quietly Clare nearly missed it.
“Ian does.”
