126 The Mother's Blackmail Isabella's perfectly manicured hands clenched into fists . " This is ridiculous ! I'm twenty - seven years old ! I don't need my mommy to hold my hand while I shop ! " " Enough ! " Julian rarely raised his voice , and Isabella fell silent , shocked . He took a deep breath , regaining his composure . " Your mother insists on being there . It's important to her . " " Well ? Did you get it ? " she demanded as soon as she saw her father . He downed his drink in one swallow , the alcohol burning his throat . The Sterling accident had been necessary - a business decision . When old man Sterling refused to sell his company , more drastic measures were required . It should have been untraceable . But Clara knew . She had found the evidence , the paperwork that connected him to the hired men who tampered with the helicopter . And worse , somehow she had obtained a recording of his conversation with them . " Isabella , I've told you . We'll go shopping next week when I'm feeling stronger ." " Clara , for God's sake , just give her the card . She's driving me insane . " Julian's voice was tight with barely controlled anger . Isabella's face contorted with rage . " She's ruining everything ! She always ruins everything ! " Back in the living room , Isabella was pacing impatiently . " One day what ? " Her voice turned sharp . " One day you'll finally get rid of me like you've wanted to for years ? I'm already dying , Julian . But I promise , I'll take with me if I have to . " you down Julian poured another drink , his mind racing . Something needed to be done about Clara . And soon . Isabella Clairemont stormed down the hallway of their lavish mansion , her high heels clicking aggressively against the marble floor . She burst into her mother's bedroom without knocking . 126 The Mother's Blackmail Clara's thin lips curved into a cold smile . " Or what , Julian ? What will you do to your sick wife ? " She reached for the drawer of her bedside table . " Besides , I think we both know who holds the real power here ." " Mother ! I need the platinum card today . My wedding is in two months , and I still don't have my dress ! " " Of course , princess . " Julian's smile didn't reach his eyes . " Why don't you call Veronica and have a spa day ? My treat . " Isabella spun around and stomped out , slamming the door behind her . She found her father in his study , reviewing documents with a glass of whiskey in hand despite the early hour . " No , it can't wait ! My wedding to Richard is the social event of the year . Everyone who matters will be there , including Liam Sterling . " She emphasized the name , knowing it would catch her father's attention . " Don't you want me to look perfect ? " She glanced at the photo on her nightstand - an old picture of Isabella as a child , smiling innocently . How had that sweet little girl turned into such a selfish woman ? Clara blamed Julian's indulgence , his constant spoiling . As Isabella left , already on her phone arranging her day , Julian poured himself another drink , his hand shaking slightly . Julian's face paled . " You wouldn't dare . " For three years , he had been trapped in this marriage , unable to move against his wife for fear of exposure . Ever since Liam Sterling had taken over his father's company and moved to Haven Harbor , the threat had grown more serious . " Then she'll have to wait . I want to be there when she chooses her dress . " Clara Clairemont sat propped up against silk pillows , looking frail yet somehow menacing . Her thin fingers gripped a leather - bound book , and her sharp eyes fixed on her daughter . In her bedroom , Clara carefully locked the drawer containing the envelope . She wasn't a fool - she knew Julian wanted her dead . But as long as she had those documents , she was safe . Julian stood frozen , rage and fear battling across his features . " One day , Clara … " 126 The Mother's Blackmail Julian Clairemont looked up from his papers , irritation flickering across his face . " Isabella , your mother isn't well . Can't this wait ? " Julian moved closer , towering over his wife's bed . " Give me the damn card , Clara . " Isabella rolled her eyes dramatically . " You've been saying that for weeks ! Every boutique in Haven Harbor has been holding dresses for me , and they'll sell them if I don't make a decision soon . " Julian watched as she removed a small envelope and held it up. " Do you know what's in here , darling husband ? " His jaw tightened . " Put that away . " " Let me guess . Our daughter sent you to get the credit card . " Well , at least she would see her daughter in her wedding dress . One last - maternal moment before the end . " She needs it today ." " The originals are in a very safe place . With instructions to be delivered if anything happens to me . " She smiled sweetly . " So be a good husband and tell our daughter she'll have to wait . " " Copies of certain documents . Records . A particularly damning recording regarding the accident that killed the Sterling parents three years ago . " Her voice was almost casual . " If Isabella buys that dress without me , these will find their way directly to Liam Sterling's office . " " Then they'll sell them . " Clara's voice was soft but unyielding . " I will be there when my only daughter chooses her wedding dress . That's final . " " Yet you need Daddy's credit card . " Clara's smile didn't reach her eyes . " Interesting contradiction , isn't it ? " They stared at each other , decades of hatred hanging between them . Finally , Juliar turned and left without another word . He made his way to his wife's bedroom , walking in without the courtesy of knocking . Clara looked up , her expression hardening as she saw her husband . Isabella's tantrum subsided as she counted the money . " Fine . But I expect another ten 126 The Mother's Blackmail thousand when we finally get the dress ." She stuffed the cash into her designer purse . " And I want the platinum card for the honeymoon shopping . " Let him think he only had one thing to fear . The rest would be her insurance - and eventually , her revenge . She fingered the key around her neck . If Julian knew the full extent of what she had documented over the years , his fear would be even greater . It wasn't just the Sterling accident . It was thirty years of crimes , bribes , and corporate espionage . Julian's hands trembled slightly as he reached for the envelope. Clara quickly returned it to the drawer , locking it with a small key she wore on a chain around her neck . Julian's face was rigid with suppressed fury . " You'll have to wait until next week when your mother can go with you ." " Daddy , Mother is impossible ! " She collapsed dramatically onto the leather sofa . " I need to get my wedding dress today , and she won't give me the card . " " No. " Clara set her book aside carefully . " I will go with her next week ." " Wouldn't I ? " Clara's eyes glittered with malice . " I've lived with your lies , your affairs , your business dealings for thirty years . Don't test me . " " What ? But Daddy- " Julian reached into his wallet and pulled out several bills . " Here's ten thousand in cash . Go buy yourself something else today . New shoes , jewelry , whatever you want . " Clara leaned back against her pillows , exhausted by the confrontation . The doctor had given her six months at most . Six months to ensure her plans were in place . The situation was becoming untenable . Clara had been blackmailing him for years with those documents . He had thought her illness would weaken her hold , but she clung to power with surprising strength for a dying woman . Julian set down his glass with a heavy sigh . " Fine . I'll speak to your mother . "