Chapter 5 - The Call Beneath the Table
The call had lasted less than ten seconds.
Sienna’s mother had not explained the bruise.
She had not described the sling.
She had not named Garrick’s threat.
She had not mentioned Miriam’s cruel toast.
She had said only what was necessary.
“Come immediately. Bring the entire board.”
That was enough.
Enough to make Garrick hear a language he recognized.
Not the language of family.
The language of authority.
He stood now, chair behind him, face twisted with panic he tried to disguise as anger.
“You have no right to bring outsiders into a private family dinner.”
Sienna’s mother lifted her eyes slowly.
“You made it private when you made everyone silent.”
Miriam gasped.
Garrick pointed at her.
“Watch your mouth.”
Sienna’s mother did not blink.
Sienna did.
Hard.
Her injured shoulder flinched as if the words had touched her body.
Her mother’s face chilled further.
“You still think the correct witness will save you,” she said.
Garrick’s mouth tightened.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means your family watched.”
The four relatives froze.
Miriam’s expression sharpened.
“Do not involve them.”
“They involved themselves by staying seated.”
No one moved.
The chandelier light made the table look expensive and merciless. Wine trembled in glasses. The roast sat cooling. The heavy serving bowl Sienna had nearly dropped remained in the center like an accusation.
The front doorbell stopped.
For a moment, silence spread through the house.
Then came the sound of movement outside the double doors.
Not footsteps inside.
Not yet.
Just presence.
Garrick turned toward the hallway.
Sienna gripped her mother’s hand.
“Mom, who did you call?”
Her mother looked at her daughter.
The answer remained hidden.
No professional identity.
No voting power.
No explanation.
Only a mother’s cold promise in her eyes.
May you like
“People who understand records.”
Read Chapter 6 👉 Because Sienna did not know who her mother had summoned, but Garrick’s fear proved he suspected enough.
