Chapter 13 - CLAIRE’S CHOICE
Grant slowly raised his hands.
Claire’s gun shook.
“Back away.”
“Claire.”
“I said back away!”
Grant moved off Adrian.
Elena rushed to Adrian’s side.
“You okay?”
He coughed.
“No.”
It was the first time she had heard him say it without pretending.
She almost smiled.
Grant looked at Claire.
“You won’t shoot me.”
Claire’s hand trembled harder.
“No.”
Grant stepped closer.
“You need me.”
“No.”
“You think Adrian’s going to forgive you?”
Claire’s face crumpled.
Grant kept moving.
“You think the police will?”
“Stop.”
“You’re already finished.”
“Stop!”
Grant lunged.
Claire fired.
The bullet struck the floor beside his shoe.
Grant stumbled backward.
Then police crashed through the hallway.
“DROP THE WEAPON!”
Claire immediately let go.
The gun hit the carpet.
Grant raised both hands.
Detective Park entered behind the tactical team.
Nobody spoke for several seconds.
Then Grant looked at Adrian.
“You think this makes you clean?”
Adrian stared back.
“No.”
That answer surprised everyone.
Grant laughed.
“At least you learned something.”
Police arrested them both.
Claire turned before officers led her outside.
She looked at Adrian.
“I loved you.”
Adrian believed she believed that.
That was the saddest part.
“No,” he said quietly.
“You loved what standing beside me made you feel like.”
Claire’s eyes filled.
Then she was gone.
Three days later, Grant Ellis was charged with fraud, conspiracy, evidence tampering, assault, and crimes connected to Adrian’s crash.
Claire faced conspiracy, fraud, obstruction, and related charges.
The investigation remained open.
Adrian returned to Cole Meridian expecting victory.
Instead, he found another disaster.
Reporters packed the lobby.
The board wanted him reinstated.
Investors wanted reassurance.
Employees wanted answers.
And Marcus placed a resignation letter on Adrian’s desk.
Adrian stared at it.
“What is this?”
“My resignation.”
“Why?”
“I created Northline.”
“You didn’t know what Grant was doing.”
“I should have.”
“So should I.”
Marcus shook his head.
“You trusted people.”
“So did you.”
“That isn’t a defense.”
“No.”
Adrian pushed the letter back.
“It’s also not the same as being guilty.”
Marcus stared at him.
“You’re refusing my resignation?”
“Yes.”
“You’re impossible.”
“I’ve been told.”
Marcus picked up the letter.
Then Adrian asked:
“Where’s Elena?”
Marcus’s expression changed.
“She left.”
Adrian sat straighter.
“Left where?”
“She said she didn’t want to be part of the circus anymore.”
Adrian reached for his phone.
Marcus stopped him.
“She asked you not to call.”
Adrian went still.
For once, he understood what he had to do.
May you like
Nothing.
But doing nothing hurt more than standing.
