Chapter 7 - A WEB OF LIES
The next morning, the surveillance feeds were chaotic. Evelyn and Richard were frantically communicating via encrypted apps, unaware that Nathaniel’s team had already cloned their devices.
“What the hell did he mean by biometric authorization?” Evelyn’s text read on Nathaniel’s monitor.
“He’s getting paranoid,” Richard replied. “It doesn't matter. The transfer protocols are hardcoded into the digital contracts. When he signs them at the party on Saturday night for the PR photo op, the malware in the PDF will bypass the escrow lock. The money will still route to the Caymans.”
Nathaniel smirked, sipping his black coffee. Richard was a good COO, but he was a terrible hacker. Nathaniel’s IT team had already isolated Richard’s malware. More importantly, they had reverse-engineered it. When Nathaniel signed the document, the money wouldn't go to the Caymans. It would bounce directly into an FBI-monitored holding account, and the malware would immediately forward a full confession package—complete with Richard and Evelyn’s IP addresses, emails, and forged signatures—directly to the Department of Justice.
But Nathaniel needed one more piece of leverage. He needed justice for Clara.
He visited the safe house upstate. Clara was sitting by the fireplace, looking much healthier but still deeply shaken. Her daughter, Maya, was studying at the kitchen table.
“Mr. Cross,” Clara stood up quickly, wringing her hands.
“Sit down, Clara,” Nathaniel said gently. He handed her a thick manila envelope. “Your daughter’s medical school tuition has been paid in full. Anonymous grant. Furthermore, there is a trust fund established in your name that will ensure you never have to work another day in your life unless you choose to.”
Clara burst into tears, covering her face. “Why are you doing this? I should have stopped her.”
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“Nobody stops Evelyn when she’s cornered,” Nathaniel said quietly. “You survived her. That’s enough. Tomorrow night, it all ends. I just need you to be brave one last time. I need you at the party.”
Clara looked up, her eyes wide with fear, but as she looked at Nathaniel’s resolute expression, she slowly nodded.
