Chapter 18 - The Marriage Was Part of ItMelissa obtained Claire’s employment records.
Claire had worked as a private banking specialist servicing several accounts connected to Robert Carter.
She resigned six weeks before meeting Daniel.
Even more damaging was an email recovered from an old corporate archive.
Robert to Claire.
Daniel attends the Harvest Foundation event Thursday. Be there.
Date:
Three days before Daniel and Claire “accidentally” met.
Daniel read it silently.
Then again.
The memories returned differently now.
Claire spilling wine near him.
Laughing about coincidence.
Asking about Ethan.
Saying she had always dreamed of living somewhere quiet.
Every detail suddenly felt rehearsed.
Daniel confronted Claire in Melissa’s office.
Two attorneys were present.
Daniel placed the email on the table.
Claire stared at it.
“Robert introduced us.”
“He arranged for you to meet me.”
“That doesn’t mean our marriage was fake.”
“Then explain Green Field.”
No answer.
“Explain Rachel’s file.”
Claire’s face changed.
“Where did you find that?”
“In your desk.”
“You searched my private office?”
Daniel laughed.
“You researched my dead wife.”
Claire looked toward her attorney.
Daniel continued.
“Did you marry me because Robert needed somebody inside Carter Ridge?”
For nearly a minute Claire said nothing.
Then she whispered:
“It wasn’t supposed to become this.”
Daniel looked at her.
“What was it supposed to become?”
“Robert wanted information.”
“What information?”
“The covenant.”
“And the money?”
“He told me the transfers were repayment for expenses.”
“You forged my approval.”
“He said you knew.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“And Ethan?”
Claire’s eyes moved away.
Daniel leaned forward.
“Don’t lie about my son.”
Claire whispered:
“Robert said Ethan had seen me searching the barn.”
Daniel felt cold.
“What?”
“He started asking questions.”
“So you frightened him into silence.”
Claire said nothing.
That silence was worse than any confession.
Daniel stood.
Claire suddenly said:
“Robert is afraid of Ethan.”
Daniel stopped.
“Why?”
“Because Rachel found something before she died.”
“What?”
“I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do.”
May you like
![92 The Girl They Called Broke Was a Billionaire’s Daughter—But Her Father’s Arrival Exposed a Secret Powerful People Had Buried for Years]](https://cdn.treeiq.biz/site_590/2026/11/clone-0-0915d882-53d7-4d17-b43a-a010ca1a1068.webp)
Claire shook her head.
“She hid it where only Ethan would eventually find it.”
Related Stories
