CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 2 — THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
No one spoke.
William's eyes never left Marcus Bennett.
For thirty years, Marcus had been more than the Harrison family's attorney. He had drafted wills, negotiated billion-dollar acquisitions, protected family secrets, and buried scandals before they ever reached the press.
William trusted him more than anyone outside the family.
Which was exactly why Marcus's hesitation felt dangerous.
"Answer me," William said quietly.
Marcus adjusted his glasses before replying.
"I've heard Charlie repeat many strange things over the years."
"That's not what I asked."
Another pause.
"No..."
Marcus finally admitted.
"I've heard that exact sentence before."
The room erupted with whispers.
Claire immediately turned toward the attorney.
"You never told anyone?"
"It wasn't my place."
William's oldest daughter stepped forward.
"Then whose place was it?"
Marcus looked exhausted.
"That conversation happened months ago."
William frowned.
"Between whom?"
"I can't answer that."
"You can."
"I won't."
The temperature inside the ballroom suddenly felt colder.
William slowly walked toward Marcus.
At seventy-eight, his steps were slower than they had once been, but they still carried authority.
"You've worked for this family since before Claire married my son."
Marcus nodded.
"I have."
"I've trusted you with every financial document I own."
"Yes."
"So tell me."
Marcus closed his eyes.
"I can't."
William gave a slow, disappointed smile.
"Not can't."
"Won't."
No one had ever spoken to Marcus like that.
Not even William.
Claire suddenly stepped forward.
"William, this has gone too far."
He turned toward her.
"You seem unusually nervous."
"I'm shocked, just like everyone else."
"Then why were you the only person who dropped your glass?"
Claire looked down at the shattered crystal still scattered across the marble floor.
"I was startled."
"So was everyone else."
She had no answer.
Charlie suddenly ruffled his feathers.
The ballroom instantly fell silent again.
The macaw tilted his head toward Marcus.
Then repeated another sentence.
This time...
It sounded almost like a whisper.
"If William dies before signing... everything changes."
The words struck the room like lightning.
Marcus's face went white.
William noticed immediately.
"So..."
he said softly.
"That sentence sounds familiar too?"
Marcus swallowed.
"No."
William stepped even closer.
"You just lied."
"I..."
Before Marcus could continue...
A loud voice interrupted from the back of the ballroom.
"Mr. Harrison!"
Everyone turned.
It was Ethan Cole.
William's head of security.
He was holding a silver serving tray.
On the tray sat William's untouched glass of red wine.
Beside it...
A small transparent evidence bag.
Inside the bag...
Was a tiny white capsule.
"I found this," Ethan said.
"It was hidden underneath the napkin beside your place setting."
A murmur swept through the room.
William stared at the capsule.
"So Charlie wasn't repeating an old story."
Ethan nodded.
"No, sir."
"I believe someone intended to drug you tonight."
Claire took an involuntary step backward.
William noticed.
"So did Ethan.
"So did everyone else.
Claire immediately realized what she'd done.
"It doesn't mean anything."
"No?"
William asked calmly.
"You've taken three steps away from this table since the capsule appeared."
Claire looked around.
Every guest was watching her.
She suddenly felt as though the walls themselves were closing in.
"I didn't poison anyone."
"No one said you did."
William replied.
"But someone wanted me to believe I was about to be poisoned."
The sentence confused everyone.
Even Marcus looked surprised.
William slowly picked up the evidence bag.
Holding it beneath the chandelier.
Examining the capsule carefully.
Then...
He smiled.
It wasn't relief.
It wasn't happiness.
It was recognition.
"I've seen this before."
The ballroom became perfectly silent.
Claire stared at him.
"You... have?"
William nodded slowly.
"Twenty-six years ago."
Marcus suddenly looked horrified.
William turned toward him.
"You remember now, don't you?"
Marcus whispered only two words.
"My God..."
William looked around the room.
"I don't think tonight's target..."
He paused.
"...was ever supposed to be me."
At that exact moment...
Charlie spread his wings again.
He looked directly at Claire.
Then shouted one final sentence.
"Switch the glasses before he notices!"
Claire burst into tears.
But William wasn't looking at her anymore.
He was staring at his eldest son.
Standing quietly on the other side of the ballroom.
Still holding...
A full glass of untouched red wine.
👇 Chapter 3
