He Ignored 18 Calls While Our Son Died—So My Billionaire Father and I Destroyed His Whole Life

The massive double doors at the back of the ballroom swung open.

A dozen men and women in dark windbreakers with yellow letters on the back walked in.

Panic erupted.

Garrett turned to me, his eyes wide with sheer terror. "Claire? What is going on?"

I calmly picked up my champagne flute and took a sip.

"You really thought my father became a billionaire by being stupid, Garrett?"

On the giant projection screens behind the stage, the Sterling Global logo disappeared.

It was replaced by a massive spreadsheet.

Bank transfers. Account numbers. Offshore routing codes.

Then, the screen switched.

It was a screenshot of his text message to Melissa.

GARRETT: Claire’s a ghost. She just sits in Ethan’s room all day. I’ll file for divorce six months after I get the company. Keep up the transfers.

The entire ballroom gasped. Five hundred pairs of eyes turned to stare at Garrett.

"No," Garrett breathed out. "No, this is a mistake."

He turned to look for Melissa.

She was already bolting for the side exit, her high heels clicking frantically against the marble floor.

She didn't make it. Two federal agents stepped in front of the door, blocking her path.

"Garrett Vance," one of the lead agents said, walking directly up to our table. "You are under arrest for corporate espionage, grand larceny, and wire fraud."

"Claire, please!" Garrett begged, dropping to his knees. The polished, arrogant man was gone. In his place was a pathetic, sniveling coward. "I love you! I made a mistake! Please tell them!"

I stood up, looking down at him.

The whole room was silent, watching us.

"Eighteen calls," I said softly, but the microphone picked it up.

Garrett stopped crying, looking up at me.

"You ignored eighteen calls while your son was dying. You lay in a hotel bed while Ethan asked for you."

I leaned down so only he could hear my next words.