Chapter 7 - The Departure Claire Controlled
Dominic’s Atlantic City trip was supposed to last five days.
Nathan controlled the schedule.
Claire controlled access to the car.
Mia waited near the front entrance with the memory card hidden inside her sleeve.
When Dominic descended the staircase, Harper ran toward him.
“Mr. Dom, Mommy found a tiny—”
Claire stepped between them.
“Harper, adults are speaking.”
Dominic looked at Mia.
“Did you need something?”
“Yes.”
Nathan appeared beside him.
“The helicopter is waiting.”
Mia moved closer.
“I need to speak with you privately.”
Claire laughed lightly.
“About housekeeping?”
“About Lucas.”
Dominic stopped.
Nathan’s jaw tightened almost invisibly.
“What about him?” Dominic asked.
Before Mia could answer, an engine exploded outside.
Not literally.
One of the estate vehicles backfired violently after a mechanic started it.
Security rushed toward the entrance.
Nathan pulled Dominic aside.
“We may have a perimeter issue.”
The distraction lasted less than two minutes.
When Dominic turned back, Mia was gone.
Claire’s assistant had taken Harper upstairs and told Mia the child had fallen.
Mia ran to the family wing.
Harper was unharmed.
By the time she returned, Dominic’s helicopter was rising beyond the trees.
Claire stood at the window.
“You missed him.”
Mia faced her.
“You created the distraction.”
Claire did not deny it.
She held out one hand.
“Give me the pendant.”
“No.”
“Nathan believes your husband stole something.”
“My husband discovered something.”
“He should have minded his place.”
The words revealed more than Claire intended.
Mia activated the recorder on her cracked phone.
“What did Nathan do to Lucas?”
Claire smiled.
“You will never prove anything.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
“It is the only one you’re getting.”
Claire turned away.
Mia sent Dominic a message through the estate’s internal system.
I found evidence involving Nathan, Claire and Lucas. Do not sign anything. Do not drink from the private cellar.
The message showed as delivered.
Then the screen refreshed.
MESSAGE DELETED BY ADMINISTRATOR.
Nathan still controlled the network from Dominic’s trip.
Mia moved to call the police.
The house phone had no outside line.
Her personal phone showed no signal.
Claire had ordered a temporary communications shutdown under the excuse of an estate security threat.
Mia gathered Harper and headed toward the service exit.
May you like
Nathan was waiting beside the door.
👉 Mia attempted to escape with her daughter, but Nathan had already told every guard that she had stolen from Dominic and might be carrying a weapon.
