Chapter 10 - The Ghost of the Past
Claire quickly copied the files onto a cheap USB drive.
She wiped the cafe computer clean and crushed the microchip beneath her shoe.
She finally had the ultimate leverage she needed.
She used a highly encrypted email service to contact the Whitmore corporate board.
She demanded ten million dollars and full legal immunity.
If they refused, she would send the files to the FBI and the national press.
Within thirty minutes, the money was wired safely into a secure offshore account in her name.
Detective Miller publicly announced that the theft charges against Claire were dropped due to a complete lack of evidence.
She had successfully beaten the billionaires at their own twisted game.
She was rich, completely safe, and her name was finally clear.
Claire bought a new car and drove straight to the diner to pick up Mia.
The morning sun felt incredibly warm on her face for the first time in days.
She walked through the diner's glass doors with a triumphant smile.
The kind waitress looked up from wiping the greasy counter.
Claire’s smile instantly faded when she saw the empty booth.
“Where is my daughter?” Claire asked, her voice trembling in terror.
The waitress looked thoroughly confused.
“Her father came and picked her up twenty minutes ago.”
Claire felt all the blood drain from her face.
Mia’s father died before she was even born.
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A text message suddenly popped up on her new, secure phone.
It read: "You play a good game, Claire, but it is time to come home."
