Chapter 7 - The Midnight Call
Before anyone could say another word, Ethan’s phone began to vibrate violently in his hand.
The screen displayed a contact name that made all three of them freeze: AUNT CLARA.
Ethan tapped the speakerphone button and held the device between them.
“Ethan?” Clara’s smooth, sophisticated voice filtered through the speaker, accompanied by the faint sound of clinking champagne glasses in the background. “I heard there was a small... disruption... at the funeral home. Is everything handled? The cremation company is waiting for the body at the chapel.”
Ethan looked at Sophia, who pressed a finger to her lips, signaling him to stay calm.
“The service was delayed, Aunt Clara,” Ethan said smoothly, his voice returning to its confident, authoritative tone. “Emma had a minor breakdown. We cleared the room to give her some privacy.”
A short pause followed on the line.
“A breakdown? How unfortunate,” Clara replied, her tone dripping with fake sympathy. “Well, do hurry things along, dear. The board meeting is scheduled for eight o’clock tomorrow morning. Once Sophia is officially laid to rest, we need to finalize the transfer of her shares to the family trust. Julian and I have already signed the preliminary documents.”
“Julian is in London, Aunt Clara,” Ethan tested, watching the phone closely.
Clara let out a light, airy laugh. “Of course he is, darling. But he sent his proxy signature electronically. We’ll see you at the estate tonight for dinner. Don't be late.”
The line went dead.
Ethan lowered the phone, his face hard as iron. “She doesn't know Sophia is awake. She thinks the poison worked.”
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“She will know the moment the funeral director calls her,” Emma pointed out anxiously.
“The funeral director won't call her,” Ethan said, pulling a heavy leather wallet from his jacket and extracting a black metal card. “Because I am going to buy his silence before he reaches his car.”
