“My staff verified their credentials,” he replied cautiously.
Isabella lifted her chin. “Do fair men work with thieves?”
The question lingered in the air.
“If you’re telling the truth,” Mr. Reed said slowly, “I will protect you. Can you prove it?”
She nodded.
Back in the boardroom, the men’s smiles faltered.
Isabella picked up a cup of cold coffee from the table and walked toward Ethan.
“You came to my house,” she said loudly. “You said your name was Ethan Blake. You drive a white sedan. Your company logo is a fox inside a circle.”
Murmurs spread.
Then she poured the coffee over him.
Gasps filled the room. Ethan sprang up, furious.
“When you change your shirt,” Isabella continued, shaking but steady, “everyone will see the long scar on your right arm. I saw it when you rolled up your sleeve.”
Marcus lunged forward, but Mr. Reed’s voice thundered, “Stop.”
Security stepped in.
“Show us your arm,” Mr. Reed ordered calmly.
Ethan hesitated. The sleeve was rolled back.
The scar was there.
The briefcase was opened. Inside: forged documents, fake passports, and a folder containing contracts bearing Carlos Morales’s name.
“Call the police,” Mr. Reed said quietly.