Chapter 12 - The Original Plan
Richard finally spoke after his attorneys pulled him aside.
He denied ordering violence.
He admitted trying to challenge the trust.
His plan, according to him, had been legal.
Delay the transfer.
Contest Jonathan Mercer’s estate language.
Question the baby’s paternity.
Force Khloe into arbitration.
Anything to keep control of Thorne Holdings from shifting.
“You questioned my child before Marcus did,” Khloe said.
Richard remained silent.
She understood.
“You planted the idea.”
Marcus looked at his father.
“You sent Isabella the photograph.”
Richard’s attorney objected.
Marcus ignored him.
“You told Voss to manipulate me.”
Richard’s jaw tightened.
“I told Malcolm to protect the company.”
“You told him I was afraid of losing control.”
“You were.”
Marcus shook his head.
“No.”
“I was afraid of losing Khloe.”
Richard’s expression showed contempt.
“And look how well you handled that.”
Marcus flinched.
Khloe did not defend him.
Richard continued.
“You confused marriage with leadership.”
“You gave a woman access to your private life.”
“You allowed her to become a liability.”
Isabella stared at him.
“A liability?”
Richard barely looked at her.
“That is what you were.”
Something broke in Isabella’s face.
For months, perhaps years, she had imagined herself entering the Thorne family.
Now Richard reduced her to a disposable problem.
She sat down slowly.
“I recorded you.”
Richard froze.
His attorney turned.
“What?”
Isabella wiped her eyes.
“The first time you came to my apartment.”
“You told me never to trust powerful men.”
“So I didn’t.”
Detective Price leaned forward.
“Where is the recording?”
Isabella smiled without humor.
“Somewhere Richard can’t reach.”
Richard’s calm finally cracked.
“You foolish little—”
“Finish that sentence.”
Gabriel’s voice stopped him.
Isabella looked at Khloe.
“I’ll give you everything.”
Khloe stared at her.
“Why?”
“Because he was going to let me go to prison for something he created.”
Khloe’s expression did not soften.
“You kicked me while I was carrying a child.”
“I know.”
“You don’t become innocent because someone else is worse.”
Isabella looked down.
“I know.”
It was the first honest thing Khloe had heard her say.
Detective Price asked again.
“Where is the recording?”
Isabella looked toward her second phone.
“It automatically uploads to a cloud account.”
Price took the device.
“What’s the password?”
Isabella whispered it.
The recording appeared three minutes later.
Audio only.
Richard’s voice filled the room.
Marcus will never remove Khloe himself.
A pause.
Then Isabella.
Remove her how?
Richard answered.
I don’t care how the marriage ends.
But the child cannot be allowed to trigger that trust.
Marcus closed his eyes.
Khloe stopped breathing.
Then another voice appeared on the recording.
Dr. Voss.
May you like
Leave the medical side to me.
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