Chapter 348
Chapter 348:
“But you didn’t shred them,” Skye said.
“No,” Lee said, clutching the bag tighter. “I… I know who is winning this war, Ms. Sterling. I saw the news about Arthur. I know the ship is sinking p>
He slid the briefcase along the bench until it touched her thigh. “Here. The recent emails Beatrice sent from her private server. The bank transfers to the chauffeur authorized last year. The payoff to the media to bury Lana’s story. These are digital forensics, Ms. Sterling. Recent. Undeniable p>
Skye looked at him. “You’re smart, Lee. Beatrice would have thrown you under the bus eventually p>
“I have a family,” Lee said quietly. “I just want to get out with a severance package and a clean record p>
“Stick with me,” Skye said, taking the handle of the briefcase, “and you’ll run the department when the dust settles p>
Lee nodded, relief washing over his face. He stood and walked away before the guards could get suspicious.
Skye opened the briefcase. It was all there. A perfect chain of evidence connecting Beatrice directly to the Winters scandal. It was far more potent than the old Ledger because it was fresh. It was actionable now.
She pulled out her phone and took high-resolution photos of every critical page.
She opened an encrypted messaging app. The recipient was anonymous, a contact Alistair had provided. It was Lana Winters’ court-appointed defense attorney.
Attachment Sent.
Message: Beatrice Kensington orchestrated the defamation. Liam was a pawn. Use this to shift the liability solely to the Matriarch. It ensures your client gets the money and leniency.
She hit send.
The curtain to Bay 4 whipped back. A doctor stepped out, followed by a nurse pushing Liam in a wheelchair. He was too weak to walk.
His arm was in a sling, and he was hunched over to protect his stomach.
When he saw Skye, his shoulders dropped in relief.
𝘐𝖿 𝘺𝗈𝘂 𝗌𝗲е 𝗍𝗵is 𝗻𝗈𝘃е𝗅 𝗈𝘯 а𝗻𝘆 ѕ𝘪𝗍𝗲 о𝗍𝗵𝗲𝘳 t𝗵an b𝘦.𝘤о𝘮 𝗶t i𝗌 a с𝗈𝘱y
“You stayed,” he said. It sounded like a question.
Skye stood, slipping the phone into her pocket. She smoothed her expression into one of weary concern. “Of course I stayed,” she said. She walked over and gently touched his uninjured shoulder. “I had to handle the police report p>
“Lana…” Liam winced as the wheelchair moved. “Is she p>
“She’s in custody,” Skye said. “Her lawyer is already negotiating. I made sure they know you were the victim today p>
Liam let out a breath he seemed to have been holding for hours. “Thank you, Skye. Today… it was chaos. I thought… I thought you wanted me to die p>
Skye looked at him. “I don’t want you to die, Liam. That would be too easy p>
He missed the double meaning. He looked at her with renewed hope. “We can fix this. Beatrice… she’s old. She made mistakes. But we can lead the company together p>
Skye suppressed the urge to laugh. He still didn’t get it. He thought this was a reconciliation.
“Let’s get you home,” she said softly. “The press is waiting outside p>
“I can handle them,” Liam said, trying to straighten his spine, then wincing.
They rolled through the automatic doors. Flashbulbs erupted like a lightning storm.
“Mr. Kensington! Did your grandmother frame Lana Winters p>