CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY TWO - The Unseen Intruder

But Richard was too worked up to be calmed. He continued pulling more papers from his briefcase, his words coming faster and more frantically. "We don't have time for water! We need to act now, before they realize I've uncovered their plot. Mason, you need to call an emergency board meeting. We have to expose the truth!" Mason ran a hand through his hair, feeling completely out of his depth. How had a quiet family breakfast turned into this surreal nightmare? He glanced at Claire, seeing his own confusion and worry mirrored in her eyes. "Uncle Richard," he tried again, "I understand you're concerned, but I can't just call an emergency board meeting based on... this." He gestured at the mess of papers strewn across the table. Richard's face clouded with anger. "You don't believe me," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "They've gotten to you too, haven't they? I thought I could trust you, Mason, but you're just like the rest of them!" He began gathering up his papers, shoving them