Chapter 51 Chapter 51

Chapter 51 Chapter 51
Inside the police interrogation room, the attendant, Clara Bennet sat stiffly, hands firmly clasped together but chin raised in misplaced defiance. Averie sat opposite her with her lawyer by her side, her calm expression sharpening the tension.

The officer stepped out, having completed the initial interrogation. He left them alone.

“Let’s start again,” Averie said, voice cool. “Where are the shipments you redirected?”

“I don’t know,” Clara muttered. “I already told you.” she gave an eye roll.

Averie scoffed,  ignoring the obvious lie. “Fine. Then let’s talk about Esther Brooks. How did you know her?”

The attendant’s eyes twitched, obviously caught off guard by the question. 
“She… she approached me anonymously but then I found out her identity. It wasn’t hard.” her voice trembled.

Averie leaned forward, with a known smile. “Describe her.”

Clara Bennet blinked once... Twice. Her mouth opened but no words came out.

Averie smirked softly “We caught a liar” she settled back in her chair with a proud smile then she gestured to the lawyer beside her.

Her lawyer clasped his hands together. “Since you cannot provide a consistent explanation, you’ll not only face fraud and sabotage charges, but also defamation, for trying to drag an innocent woman into this.” He explained and Clara’s eyes widened.

“It was Esther!” she insisted desperately. “She’s backing me…”

“Wake up!” Averie snapped, slamming her palm lightly on the table. The woman flinched hard. “Do you think it’s news that Carmine put you up to this? That scheming woman used you and she’s already abandoned you.”

The attendant blinked rapidly, panic rising but Averie didn’t back down, she pressed on.

“Your court hearing is in two days. Do you really think Carmine will risk appearing to help you? She can’t even show her face without exposing everything.”

To drive the dagger deeper, Averie took out her phone and dialed Carmine’s number.

Clara’s face drained of color as Averie put it on speaker.

“Hello, you’re speaking with Carmine, who’s on the line?”

“It’s Averie Quinn… or Mrs.Graham. Anyone you’re familiar with” Averie teased with a known grin.

Carmine answered almost instantly. “Averie? How did you get my work number?”

“Not important,” Averie said breezily. “I just want to confirm something. Should I go ahead and do my worst?”

Carmine laughed coldly.
“You can go ahead with anything. All talk with no action doesn’t get to me.”

Averie smiled like a cat playing with a mouse.
“Then I’ll handle it my way.” She glanced at the attendant, who looked seconds away from fainting.

“I always knew you weren’t trustworthy,” Averie added before hanging up then she turned back to the attendant.
“There. That’s how much she cares about you.”

Right on cue, Averie’s phone buzzed to reveal a message from Esther.

I have sent everything about her family. Use it if needed

Averie opened the attached file and slid the phone across the table.

“You have a sick mother,” she said softly. “And a younger brother waiting for admission into college.”

The attendant’s lips trembled as she looked at the puzzling info on the phone screen.

“Carmine must have promised you money, right? Support? A future?”

Averie displayed a fabricated screenshot.

“Well, good news. Your mother’s pending medical bill got canceled by her already”

Clara’s face went white. She gasped and clutched the edge of the table.

“When you work for people like Carmine, that’s the price. She uses you, then discards you. You’re already paying for it.”

With that, Averie picked up her bag and stood to leave. The lawyer stood up as well.

But before she reached the door, Clara voiced out; “I’ll tell you!” she cried. “I’ll tell you where the real shipments went!”

Averie paused and smiled without turning around “Good girl.”

Outside the Police Station~
Averie released the nervous breath she’d been holding in all along. As soon as she stepped out of the police station, she inhaled the fresh air deeply and sighed. Then she called Esther as she strolled toward her car.

“You did well today,” she said gently. “Thank you for gathering the information so quickly.”

Esther exhaled shakily. “I just wish to fix everything. I’ve caused too much trouble,” she said with guilt in her voice.

“You don’t have to,” Averie replied. “Just stop blaming yourself. I’ve already forgiven you.”

But Esther’s tone was determined, almost fierce.
“I need to make things right, Averie. I won’t stop until I clear my name” she said.

Later that evening, at Esther’s apartment, her mother arrived unannounced. She was cooking a pot of stew in the tiny kitchen with the TV playing in the background.

She was prepping the dishes when the news came on.

BREAKING NEWS
CEO Darian Graham was spotted at his wife’s clothing store, personally supporting the brand’s upcoming launch and dispelling all rumors.

Reporters praised him as a capable young leader and a devoted husband.

Esther’s mother glanced over her shoulder and scoffed.

“See Averie? She’s a very smart girl. Quite ambitious and she married rich. Look where she is now. Unlike you, still struggling, and single to stupor.

“Mom, enough.” Esther dropped her folded shirt. “Stop comparing me to people. You’ve done that my whole life.”

Her mother blinked, offended.
“I’m only telling you the truth…”

“It’s not the truth,” Esther snapped. “It’s your insecurities. Your constant criticism is why I doubt myself. It’s why I end up with the wrong people!” she exploded.

Her mother froze, eyes watering before she burst into dramatic tears.

“You’re blaming me now? After everything I’ve done! Ungrateful child!”

Esther closed her eyes tiredly “If only you knew what I went through lately…” Her tone was shaky and tearful but she swallowed the bitter lump in her throat. She knew it was the same cycle and same wounds.

The Next Day>>

At work, Esther tried focusing on her computer screen when her phone buzzed.

A message came from a contact number saved as Info Dump.

I found something interesting about the lady of that household you asked me to keep watch on. Mrs. Lauren Graham. She met a man recently. Records have it that he just got out of prison.

Esther’s eyes widened at the message “An ex convict? She whispered to herself:

“I hope this won’t be another ruse against Averie…” she muttered, biting on her nails repeatedly.