CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY FIVE - Shadow Games

Richard recoiled as if he'd been slapped. "How dare you? I'm trying to protect you, to expose the truth before it's too late!" "The truth?" Mason laughed bitterly. "You wouldn't recognize the truth if it danced naked in front of you wearing a sign! You're so caught up in your delusions that you can't see the damage you're causing – to the company, to our family, to yourself!" The argument escalated, their voices rising as years of pent-up frustration and misunderstanding poured out. Neither of them noticed Claire enter the room, drawn by the commotion. "Stop it, both of you!" she shouted, her voice cutting through their heated exchange. Mason and Richard fell silent, turning to look at her with matching expressions of surprise and shame. Claire took a deep breath, her gaze moving between the two men. "This has gone on long enough. Richard, we've shown you every piece of financial information we have. There's no conspiracy, no cover-up. It's time to let this go." Richard opened hi