Chapter 5 - The Phone on Speaker
The phone still lay in Liam’s hand.
He had forgotten to hang up.
Evelyn’s call remained active.
Every breath in the penthouse seemed to travel through that small speaker.
Liam looked down at the screen, but no readable interface appeared.
He pressed nothing.
Perhaps he was afraid touching it would prove panic.
Perhaps he feared the committee was still listening.
They were.
Evelyn glanced at the phone.
“Leave the line open.”
Liam laughed once.
A dry, ugly sound.
“You don’t give orders in my father’s home.”
Mr. Vale spoke from the wheelchair.
“She does today.”
Liam turned toward him.
For a split second, his old anger returned.
The kind that forgot witnesses.
The kind that had raised his hand moments earlier.
Then his eyes flicked to Evelyn.
To the investigators.
To the phone.
To the tiny green reflection in the glasses.
The anger retreated.
That retreat told Mr. Vale something he already knew:
Liam could control himself.
He simply chose not to when he believed no one with power was present.
Amber saw the realization move through Mr. Vale’s face.
She stepped away from the garbage bags.
The distance was another lie.
Evelyn looked at her.
“Mrs. Vale, please remain where you are.”
Amber froze.
“I didn’t do anything illegal.”
No one had said illegal.
Liam turned sharply.
“Amber.”
Again, too late.
Evelyn’s expression remained composed.
“Interesting word.”
Amber’s lips parted.
No sound came.
One investigator moved toward the marble table, careful not to touch the bags yet.
Framed photographs lay scattered beneath black plastic.
A life being erased in haste.
Mr. Vale watched him.
The investigator paused respectfully.
“May we preserve this area?”
Mr. Vale nodded.
“Yes.”
Liam stared.
“You cannot authorize this.”
Evelyn looked at him.
“Why not?”
That question landed softly.
Liam’s face tightened.
Because the penthouse is ours now.
He had already said it.
The committee had heard.
The phone had carried it.
The glasses had seen.
May you like
No answer could undo the sentence.
Read Chapter 6 👉 Because Liam’s own words had already claimed the penthouse, and now every objection sounded like fear of the proof.
