Finally, I led my men straight to Michael Reynolds’ hometown and raised my hand.
A loud explosion shook the quiet countryside, reducing the half-built house to rubble.
Michael was just released from the police station. Barely able to breathe, before he could react, his phone rang with a call from home.
His mother’s voice was furious. “Who on earth did you offend?”
“Our family house back home was bombed to the ground! I brought our relatives to the police, but they showed us piles of documents, all valid! I was finally starting to see some hope, and now it’s all gone!”
“I don’t care!”
“You have to give me my house back!”
His mother broke down sobbing. Before Samantha Hayes could even try to soothe her, the neighborhood committee called.
“Mrs. Reynolds, when are you coming to pick up Ethan Jr.?”
“Your son has been taking turns staying with neighbors for ten days. If you don’t come, we’ll file charges for abandonment.”
Samantha froze.
Then she snapped completely, shouting, “Who abandoned him?”
“What the hell are you talking about!”
Michael tried to calm his mother down. “Mom, I’ll take care of this, I promise.”
Before he could finish, Samantha’s roar cut through the line. He quickly added, “I’ve got something else to deal with—I’ll call you later.”
When Michael and Samantha rushed to the neighborhood committee to pick up Ethan Jr., the boy was bawling, snot running down his face.
“Mom, Dad,” he cried.
“They kicked me out.”
“The school doesn’t want me.”
“I can’t go home.”
“Why? Why is this happening?”
His sobs grew louder, and Samantha joined in, breaking down completely. She cursed through her tears, “It must have been that bitch Claire Mitchell!”
“It had to be Claire!”
“What right does she have to throw my son out!”
Michael’s face hardened.
When he called me, I was sitting with his business partner, sipping tea. The man poured me another cup, smiling obsequiously. “Ms. Mitchell, how come you had time to come in person?”
His tone was overly polite. “Last time you asked us to inject funds into your husband’s project and fully support him—we’ve already done exactly that. Is there something else you’re dissatisfied with?”
Tea in hand, I placed the call on speaker.
Michael’s furious voice thundered. “Claire Mitchell!”
“Who gave you the right to leave Ethan Jr. homeless?”
“I’m warning you—get over here and fix this!” Michael spat curses. “You were the one who had my family’s house demolished!”
“Don’t think I don’t know. You’re just doing this to make me change!”
“Claire!”
“Your tricks are filthy and pathetic. They only make me despise you more! Do you really think a little family money is enough to scare me?”
“Even if I divorce you, I’ll still be just fine. Don’t you get it? Once this project finishes, I’ll be promoted! If you keep going against me, don’t blame me when I sign those divorce papers!”
I smiled faintly at his partner, placing the cup gently back on the table, leaving a thin stain of tea on the rim.
The partner shuddered, immediately distancing himself from Michael, and spoke for me with trembling conviction. “Michael Reynolds! How dare you speak to Ms. Mitchell like that!”
“Since you have no respect for her—then from today forward, our cooperation with you is completely terminated!”
