Chapter 2 - THE BANK ACCOUNTAt 7:12 the next morning, Ethan's phone exploded with notifications.
DECLINED.
He tried another card.
DECLINED.
Another.
DECLINED.
“Damn it!”
He threw the phone across the bedroom.
Vivian stormed in.
“What happened?”
“My cards.”
“Call the bank.”
“I did.”
“And?”
Ethan looked at her.
“They said Clara revoked access.”
Vivian went silent.
“That little—”
The front door slammed downstairs.
Clara walked in.
No tears.
No hesitation.
She placed a folder on the kitchen island.
Ethan opened it.
His face changed.
Bank statements.
Private jets.
Casino charges.
Luxury watches.
A $480,000 sports car.
Payments to Vivian’s company.
Ethan looked up.
“You went through my accounts?”
“No.”
Clara tapped the folder.
“I went through mine.”
Vivian grabbed the papers.
“You have no right—”
“I have every right.”
Clara pulled out another document.
“Page thirty-two.”
Vivian stopped.
A transfer.
$750,000.
From Clara's trust.
To Vivian's investment company.
Ethan stepped forward.
“That was a family investment.”
“No.”
Clara's voice was calm.
“That was theft.”
Vivian slapped the folder off the counter.
“You ungrateful little—”
Clara caught her wrist.
Hard.
“Don't.”
Vivian froze.
Clara released her.
“I tolerated your insults.”
She pointed upstairs.
“I tolerated you humiliating my children.”
Then she pointed at Ethan.
“I tolerated him spending my money.”
Her eyes hardened.
“But you stole from me.”
She picked up her phone.
“The FBI gets the file at nine.”
Ethan's face drained.
“You wouldn't.”
Clara smiled.
“Wouldn't what?”
“Destroy your own family?”
Clara stepped closer.
“You keep calling this a family.”
She whispered:
“Families don't steal from each other.”
The doorbell rang.
Clara looked toward the entrance.
Two investigators stood outside.
Ethan turned toward Vivian.
“What did you do?”
Vivian whispered:
“Nothing.”
One investigator held up a warrant.
“Mrs. Whitmore?”
Clara nodded.
“We need to speak with you.”
Ethan stared at his mother.
Vivian stared back.
May you like
And for the first time—
they both realized they had a much bigger problem than Clara.
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