Chapter 24: The Carter Recording

The audio file from Ethan's flash drive was only seven minutes long. It changed everything.

Scarlett, Alexander, Grace, and Luca listened in the secure room beneath Moretti House. The recording began with static, then the voice of Ethan's father, Charles Carter.

'Richard, the girl is the obstacle. Her grandfather tied the trust too tightly.'

Richard's voice answered, strained. 'Scarlett will sign when she understands it is for the family.'

A third voice joined them. Smooth. Calm. Male.

Victor Hale.

'Sentiment has made you slow, Richard. Your daughter turns twenty-eight soon. Once she takes full control, your merger dies, your debt surfaces, and Evelyn's accounts become evidence.'

Scarlett stopped breathing.

Richard said, 'I will not hurt my daughter.'

Victor laughed softly. 'No one asked you to hold the knife.'

The recording crackled. Charles Carter spoke again. 'If something happens, the board must be ready to transfer authority.'

Richard's voice was faint. 'Only scare her. Not kill her.'

Scarlett closed her eyes.

There it was. Her father had not cut the brake line, perhaps. But he had opened the door for wolves and pretended surprise when they entered.

Grace paused the recording. 'This proves conspiracy discussions, financial motive, and knowledge of potential harm.'

Luca's expression was grim. 'But not the woman who paid Marcus.'

Scarlett opened her eyes. 'Play the rest.'

The final minute contained footsteps, a door closing, then Evelyn's voice from farther away.

'If Richard loses his nerve, I will handle Scarlett myself.'

Silence filled the room.

Scarlett did not move. She could hear her own heartbeat.

Alexander reached for the audio controls and stopped the file.

No one spoke for several seconds.

Finally, Scarlett said, 'My father knew.'

Alexander's voice was careful. 'He may not have ordered the crash.'

'But he knew something might happen.'

'Yes.'

Scarlett's face hardened. 'Then I want him arrested with the rest.'

Grace nodded. 'We prepare the evidence first.'

Scarlett looked at Alexander. 'And Evelyn?'

Alexander's eyes were black with promise.

'Evelyn just became prey.'