Chapter 13 - CONRAD’S OFFERConrad Vance returned to the estate at 7:15 the next morning.
He did not knock.
His attorney did.
Richard had not slept. He sat at the breakfast table in a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, Maya asleep in a portable crib beside him. Mrs. Gable rested on the sofa nearby. Margaret Ellison stood near the window, speaking quietly with Detective Bennett on the phone.
When Conrad entered, he looked perfectly dressed, perfectly rested, perfectly untouched by the disaster of the night before.
“Richard,” he said. “We need to discuss damage control.”
Richard looked at him over a cup of untouched coffee.
“My wife was arrested from my home last night, my daughter was abused, and my dead wife left evidence suggesting you targeted my family. Damage control is not the phrase I’d use.”
Conrad sat without invitation.
“You are emotional.”
Richard smiled faintly.
“That’s usually what guilty men call fathers.”
Conrad’s attorney cleared his throat. “Mr. Vance is here to propose a private settlement that prevents further reputational harm to all parties.”
Margaret turned from the window. “That was fast.”
Conrad ignored her.
“Victoria will enter voluntary treatment for stress-related behavior. You will announce that the marriage ended due to private family strain. The child will receive counseling. No charges pursued beyond a misunderstanding.”
Richard stared at him.
“And in exchange?”
Conrad’s mouth curved.
“You retain port access approvals in New Jersey, Boston, and Norfolk. Your foundation remains politically protected. Your company avoids regulatory storms.”
Richard laughed quietly.
Conrad’s eyes narrowed.
“You think this is funny?”
“No,” Richard said. “I think you came into my house and tried to purchase my daughter’s silence before breakfast.”
The room went cold.
Conrad leaned forward.
“You have one child, Richard. One fragile little girl. Do you really want years of public scandal around her name? Headlines? Courtrooms? Reporters digging into Eleanor’s death? Into your failures as a father?”
Richard’s hand tightened around the coffee cup.
Conrad saw it and pressed harder.
“You missed the signs. You married Victoria. You gave her authority. If this becomes public, your saintly image dies too.”
Richard looked down at Maya.
For one moment, shame threatened to swallow him.
Then Maya stirred in her sleep and whispered, “Daddy.”
That one word steadied him.
Richard looked back at Conrad.
“You’re right about one thing. I failed her once.”
He stood.
“I won’t fail her twice.”
Conrad’s expression hardened.
“This will ruin you.”
Richard stepped closer.
“No, Conrad. This will reveal you.”
Margaret approached with a tablet in her hand.
“Detective Bennett just confirmed the hospital nurse who contacted me two years ago is alive. She disappeared after receiving threats, but she’s ready to talk now.”
For the first time, Conrad Vance looked afraid.
May you like
Richard smiled without warmth.
“Still want damage control?”
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