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Debra gets to her feet and turns her evil gaze on Zane. “The joke’s on you, Zane.”
I pause in the doorway.
“Is it?” Zane says coolly.
“Yes. I was only taking what was rightfully mine. I knew he’d give everything to you and leave me out in the cold. I’m not stupid. Did you think I wouldn’t cover my tracks?”
Her lawyers quickly whisper in her ear, and she seals her mouth shut. She just incriminated herself before she could catch her slip of the tongue. Oops. Until this moment, she could’ve claimed James was wrong, that it wasn’t her taking the money.
She lifts her chin and starts again. “You set me up, framed me, made your father believe it was me who took the money. I have all the proof I need to show that you’re the one who stole money from your father’s company,” she spits.
Her lips pull away from her teeth and she resembles Freddy Fazbear in ways that make me shiver.
“I took my proof to the board of investors and smeared your name. I’m here to tell you, they’ll demand your resignation. You won’t be president for long.”
I fully expect her to say,I’ll get you my pretty. And your little dog too.
Zane says nothing.
“By the way, I took the proof to your father as well.”
Zane can’t hide the surprise that washes over his face.
“Oh yes,” she continues. “I presented all of my evidence and I swore that if he didn’t do something to set prosecution in motion, I would. I told him I would see to it that you spent your sorry life behind bars. It’s irrefutable evidence, Zane. You don’t stand a chance. I will see to it that you go down. Hard and fast.”
Her eyes bulge as she speaks, like she’s about to burst if she doesn’t say what she wants to say.
“Would you like to know how your father responded to the news that I had the power to ruin his precious son’s life?”
“How?” Zane says. “Please share.”
“He responded with a stroke,” she hisses with vehemence.
Zane turns and faces her fully, his face white as a sheet. “Excuse me?” His voice is low and threatening. I wouldn’t want to be Debra right now.
“You heard me. A stroke, Zane. A massive stroke that led to his demise. I guess you could say the knowledge of your embezzlement scheme killed him. Sleep on that tonight,” she snarls.
“What?” Ryker says. “Mom, what are you saying? Why would you do that to Dad?”
Zane stands very still, like a predator about to pounce on his prey. I wouldn’t be surprised if he leapt through the air and attacked.
Instead, he nods to the security guards. “Escort the lady out immediately, please. To the door of her car and watch her drive away.”
“You can’t make me leave. I promise, I will fight this with every ounce of strength I have,” Debra screams, losing all self-control. “I have proof it was you! Your father knew I could destroy you!”
The manner in which she’d framed Zane must’ve been highly alarming to James—enough to bring on a massive stroke. Or maybe it was the shock that she’d go to such lengths to hurt Zane that upset James so much. We’ll never know.
Ryker’s expression says it all. He’s looking at his mother with new eyes, shocked eyes. “Mother? I don’t understand. What are you doing?”
I think Ryker is experiencing that devastating moment when he realizes his mother isn’t perfect. We all knew it would happen one day. That day is today.
It’s about time.
Debra continues with her rant, and I can’t listen anymore.
I feel so... betrayed. I know Zane’s been overwhelmed these past several days and I understand. I really do. But my life is in shambles too. I tried to reach out to him. I got nothing in return. I didn’t need much. Just a tiny crumb. A few words of reassurance.
I’m done.
