Chapter 10 - MASON'S STORY
Mason refused to answer that question without an attorney.
For six hours, he said nothing.
Then his lawyer negotiated a formal interview.
Adrian and Clara were not allowed inside.
Detective Bell later shared only what he legally could.
Mason admitted helping Vanessa create fake vendors.
He admitted receiving stolen money.
He admitted photographing Clara.
But he denied telling Vanessa to endanger Emma.
According to Mason, the original plan was simpler.
Create evidence that Clara was unstable.
Stage arguments.
Record them.
Manipulate messages.
Convince Adrian that Clara was secretly investigating his family because she wanted control of the company.
The stroller incident had not been part of Mason's plan.
Vanessa had escalated.
However, Mason made one disturbing claim.
Someone else had encouraged her.
Someone who understood Adrian's family.
Someone who hated Clara.
Someone who believed Vanessa could be manipulated.
Detective Bell would not reveal the name because Mason had provided no proof.
That night, Clara and Adrian sat across from each other in Rachel's kitchen.
Olivia had taken Emma upstairs.
"Who hates me that much?"
Adrian shook his head.
"I don't know."
Clara almost laughed.
"Your mother hasn't exactly been my biggest supporter."
"No."
"Do you think she would do this?"
Adrian answered immediately.
"No."
Then he corrected himself.
"I don't want to believe she would."
Clara noticed the distinction.
Adrian called Margaret.
She denied knowing anything about Mason.
Then Clara asked a different question.
"Has Vanessa ever talked to anyone in the family about getting me out of Adrian's life?"
Margaret became quiet.
"Mom?"
Adrian's voice hardened.
Margaret sighed.
"Your Aunt Evelyn."
Adrian frowned.
His father's older sister had fought with Clara from the beginning.
Evelyn believed Clara's marriage to Adrian threatened the Hale family's control over their business holdings.
She frequently talked about bloodlines, legacy, and protecting family wealth.
Adrian had stopped inviting her to family gatherings after she insulted Clara during Emma's baby shower.
"When did Vanessa talk to her?"
"Several times."
Margaret sounded increasingly uncomfortable.
"Evelyn told Vanessa she needed to protect you from Clara."
Clara stared at Adrian.
"Protect you from me."
Margaret continued.
"She thought Clara was influencing company decisions."
"Because I stopped paying for Vanessa's lifestyle."
Clara's voice was cold.
Margaret did not deny it.
Adrian stood.
"When was the last time Evelyn saw Vanessa?"
"Last week."
"Before the stroller incident?"
"Yes."
Adrian closed his eyes.
Clara felt anger rising.
"You knew they were talking."
Margaret began to defend herself.
"I didn't know what they were planning."
"No."
Clara interrupted.
"But every time someone treated me like I didn't belong, you stayed quiet."
Margaret said nothing.
Clara continued.
"Vanessa didn't create that belief by herself."
"She learned it."
"From all of you."
Margaret began crying.
Clara did not soften the truth.
"She believed she could destroy me and still have the family protect her."
"Why wouldn't she?"
"That's what everyone had always done."
Adrian looked down.
That accusation included him.
And he knew it.
The next morning, Detective Bell obtained a warrant for Vanessa's cloud account.
Inside an archived folder, investigators found dozens of messages.
One contact appeared repeatedly.
The name was saved simply as E.
The final message had been sent two hours before Vanessa pushed Emma's stroller.
May you like
It contained only seven words.
If you want Clara gone, do it today.
