Chapter 87

"Sean, I left the company in your hands because I trusted you, believed in your abilities. But look at what you've done—keeping me in the dark? A fire is no small thing, and you didn't even bother to tell me?" Martha snapped, slamming her cane on the floor twice in anger. Clara was clearly upset by how unfair and one-sided Martha was being. "Grandma, do you really trust Uncle Stephen's family that much? My dad is your own son too. You of all people should know his character. Since when would he ever lie to you? The way you just take their word and push all the blame on him—have you even thought about how wrong that is? They're the ones stirring up trouble, and yet you're blaming my dad?" "Last night's fire clearly happened at the factory next door, not ours. But you refuse to believe it. Why? What's your real reason for insisting it was us?" "You've got some nerve, Clara. How dare you talk to Grandma like that!" Anna barked back. But Clara wasn't backing down. She turned to Anna with a