The question was simple, but deadly. Ethan stammered, his tongue tied, unable to invent another lie. Cold sweat ran down his temples. Sharon pretended to cough loudly to divert attention. Khloe smiled sideways, a smile that chilled Ethan’s blood. Without waiting for an answer, Khloe turned and went to her room. Sort out your affairs with that friend, darling. I do not like strangers making noise in my house. And you, Mom, you should rest. High blood pressure is not good for elderly people who are afraid of ending up in an aged care facility.
Khloe closed her bedroom door firmly. Behind the door, she let out a small laugh. She had succeeded. Ethan was now trapped between Isla’s fury, Sharon’s anger, and Khloe’s suspicion. Tomorrow was the day of execution, the day Khloe had promised the fund transfer. Ethan did not know that what would clear tomorrow would not be money, but the tears of blood from his regret.
The morning sun’s rays were intense, as if the universe itself was warming the atmosphere for what was about to happen that day. Ethan got up earlier than usual. His eyes shone with expectation, although the dark circles from lack of sleep were still visible on his face. Today was the day he had been waiting for, the day he believed his destiny would change and he would become a millionaire. He put on his best shirt, impeccably ironed by Khloe, styled his hair carefully, and sprayed an excessive amount of expensive cologne. In front of the mirror, Ethan practiced a victorious smile, imagining himself signing a $10 million check. Meanwhile, Sharon was no less excited. The woman wore an elegant suit she had bought especially for the occasion, complete with a silk shawl she flaunted as if she were a grand dame about to receive an award. Khloe watched all this activity from the dining table with an overwhelming calm like the surface of a tranquil lake that hides a deadly whirlpool within. She had already prepared everything. The execution stage was set in her father’s office.
The journey to Khloe’s father’s office was made in two separate cars. Ethan insisted that Isla accompany them. His excuse to Khloe was that Isla, as a close friend, could act as a neutral and trustworthy notarial witness. Khloe simply nodded without arguing, making Ethan feel that his plan was going smoothly. In reality, Khloe wanted Isla to be there to see with her own eyes how the sand castle they had built crumbled.
Inside Ethan’s car, the atmosphere was tense but filled with a restrained euphoria. Ethan drove with sweaty hands while Sharon, sitting beside him, kept praying for the money to clear without any hitches. Isla, sitting in the back seat to keep up appearances, kept touching up her makeup, making sure she looked perfect at the moment of victory. She imagined that after the signing, Ethan would take her directly to a luxury car dealership.
Khloe’s father’s office skyscraper rose imposing in the city center, clad in blue glass that reflected the clouds. Upon entering the majestic lobby with its polished marble floor, Ethan’s confidence faltered slightly. He always felt small in front of his father-in-law, who possessed a strong leadership aura. But the image of $10 million strengthened his resolve. They were greeted by Khloe’s father’s personal assistant, a polite but stern-faced woman. They were led to the main boardroom on the top floor, a VIP room normally used only for shareholder meetings or signing multi-million dollar contracts. The room was huge, dominated by a long, gleaming mahogany table and comfortable leather armchairs. The view of the city from the gigantic windows was breathtaking, as if offering the world in the palm of one’s hand.
At the head of the table, Khloe’s father was already waiting. His face was calm, imposing, and unreadable. He did not smile when his son-in-law and his mother-in-law entered. He just nodded briefly, inviting them to sit. Ethan, Sharon, and Isla sat together on one side of the table while Khloe sat on the other, right next to her father. This arrangement unconsciously created a clear division between us and them. Ethan tried to break the ice by asking about his father-in-law’s health, but only received a brief throat clearing that intimidated him again. A solicitor and the company lawyer were also present, looking through thick files, which added an air of formality and seriousness to the meeting.
Ethan’s heart pounded. His eyes did not leave the pile of documents he believed contained the asset transfer and the promised check. Sharon clutched her handbag nervously while Isla tried to sit upright despite the back pain from her pregnancy. Khloe’s father opened the meeting with his deep, resonant voice. He spoke of the importance of trust and integrity in managing family assets. The words trust and integrity were spoken with special emphasis, making Ethan feel a little targeted, but he ignored it. Then the father explained the complicated procedure of the donation, the taxes, the management responsibility, and the long-term commitment. Ethan nodded enthusiastically, agreeing to all conditions without really listening. The only thing on his mind was where he had to sign for the money to be transferred to his account. Sharon even interrupted with a naïve question about whether she could withdraw a portion in cash that same day, to which Khloe’s father’s lawyer responded with a withering glare.
