Chapter 9 - The Dinner Guest
The front door opened without permission.
Michael walked inside.
He wore a black suit and a calm smile.
Two men followed him.
He looked around the house.
“Quite a dramatic evening.”
Sophie stood near the kitchen island.
Ryan was beside her.
Michael smiled at him.
“You look terrible.”
Ryan answered.
“You look worse.”
Michael laughed.
Then he saw Marcus.
The smile disappeared.
“You.”
Marcus replied.
“Me.”
Michael looked at Sophie.
“You should have left when you had the chance.”
Sophie said nothing.
Michael walked toward the table.
“Where is the ledger?”
Sophie placed it on the counter.
Michael stopped.
“You found it.”
“Yes.”
“And the recording?”
Sophie smiled.
“Safe.”
Michael's eyes narrowed.
“Give them to me.”
“No.”
Michael looked at Ryan.
“You were supposed to control her.”
Ryan answered.
“I tried.”
Michael laughed.
“You always were weak.”
Sophie watched Ryan's face.
The insult hurt him.
But he did not react.
Michael stepped closer.
“You have no idea what your father built.”
Sophie answered.
“I know what he died protecting.”
Michael's expression hardened.
“He died because he refused to understand business.”
“No.”
Sophie looked directly at him.
“He died because you were afraid.”
Michael's jaw tightened.
“You think this is about money?”
Daniel appeared behind him.
Michael froze.
For the first time, genuine fear appeared.
“Daniel.”
Daniel smiled.
“Hello, Michael.”
Michael took a step back.
“You died.”
Daniel answered.
“Apparently not.”
Eleanor began sobbing.
Michael turned toward her.
“You said he was gone.”
Eleanor whispered.
“I thought he was.”
Michael's anger erupted.
“You lied to me.”
Sophie noticed something.
Michael was losing control.
That was exactly what she needed.
She asked.
“Did you order my father's death?”
Michael stared at her.
“No.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“Then why did you pay the driver?”
Michael looked at him.
Silence.
Marcus signaled discreetly.
The recording system was live.
Sophie repeated.
“Did you pay him?”
Michael finally spoke.
“Your father left me no choice.”
Sophie felt her blood run cold.
“What did he know?”
Michael smiled.
“He knew everything.”
“And Eleanor?”
Michael looked toward her.
“She was useful.”
Eleanor collapsed into a chair.
Sophie asked.
“And Ryan?”
Michael laughed.
“Ryan was leverage.”
Ryan closed his eyes.
Michael continued.
“He was never meant to survive.”
Sophie looked at Ryan.
Ryan's face had gone white.
Michael suddenly reached inside his jacket.
Marcus shouted.
“Don't move.”
Michael froze.
Then he smiled.
“You still think the gun is the dangerous part?”
He pointed toward the kitchen.
A timer began beeping.
Sophie looked at the counter.
A small device was counting down.
Michael whispered.
May you like
“You have ninety seconds.”
Michael's arrival was almost theatrical, but Sophie refused to let him control the room. She watched his eyes instead of listening to his words. He looked at the exits, the cameras, the documents, and finally at Ryan. That sequence told her everything. Michael was not confident. He was calculating. Confidence came from believing you had already won. Calculation came from realizing the other side had discovered something you could not afford to lose.
