Chapter 7 - The Dinner Trap
Clare returned to the Manhattan apartment at 6:00 PM.
Harrison was pacing in the living room.
He looked exhausted, his tie undone, his hair messy.
“Where the hell have you been?” he yelled.
“I went for a walk,” Clare said calmly.
“With the iPad?”
Clare pulled the tablet from her bag and tossed it onto the sofa.
“I was reading a book on it.”
Harrison snatched it up, quickly checking the screen.
He visibly relaxed when he saw it was still locked.
He didn't know Clare had already spent three hours at a coffee shop mirroring the hard drive.
“We need to talk about last night,” Harrison said, adopting a softer tone.
“Yes, we do.”
“Sienna means nothing to me, Clare. It was a stupid mistake.”
Clare wanted to scream.
She wanted to throw the nearest lamp at his head.
Instead, she forced a sad, forgiving smile.
“I know, Harrison. You’ve been under a lot of stress with the company.”
Harrison blinked, surprised by her reaction.
“You... you understand?”
“I want to make this work. For the baby.”
Harrison let out a breath he had been holding.
He stepped forward and hugged her.
Clare kept her arms stiff at her sides.
“I’ll end it with her,” Harrison whispered. “I promise.”
“Good. Because we are having dinner with Arthur Sterling tomorrow night.”
Harrison pulled back, his brow furrowing.
“Arthur? Why?”
“He called today. He said he has some old paperwork of your father’s to clear up before the end of the year.”
Harrison’s eyes darted away.
“I can handle Arthur myself.”
“He specifically asked for both of us. He said it was a family matter.”
Harrison nodded slowly.
“Fine. I’ll make a reservation.”
As he walked into the kitchen, Clare pulled out her phone.
May you like
She texted Eleanor.
The dinner is set. Make sure Arthur knows his part.
