CHAPTER 7: The Man Beside Her
Richard Harlan had spent the evening smiling beside Eleanor like a loyal friend.
He had toasted her generosity, praised her foundation, and whispered compliments loud enough for nearby donors to hear. He was handsome in the expensive way, with silver hair, a tailored tuxedo, and a diamond watch he adjusted whenever he wanted people to notice it.
Now he looked trapped.
Eleanor turned to him slowly. “Richard?”
He forced a laugh. “You cannot seriously believe a ten-year-old.”
Ethan flinched at the contempt in his voice, but Mara held him close.
Sam stepped between Ethan and Richard. “The boy said he saw a switch. The glass needs to go to the police.”
“The police?” Richard said, too quickly.
That was when Eleanor’s expression changed.
Until that moment, she had been embarrassed, angry, and frightened. But now suspicion entered her eyes.
“You told me not to bring my driver tonight,” she said.
Richard blinked. “What?”
“You said the press would like it better if I arrived with you.”
“Eleanor, this is absurd.”
She looked down at the table. “And you handed me that glass.”
A low murmur moved through the room.
Richard’s smile disappeared.
Security approached him from both sides. He raised his hands, pretending offense, but his eyes were calculating exits.
Ethan noticed one more thing. A small folded packet had fallen beside Richard’s chair, almost hidden under the white tablecloth.
May you like
Ethan pointed again.
This time, nobody laughed.
