THE SOUND OF FALLING GLASS
386 Words
The boardroom of the Morel Foundation had never felt colder.
Miles stood before twelve members each face lit by the pale glow of morning through the glass walls.
Juliet sat quietly near the back, the USB drive clutched in her coat pocket like a heartbeat.
He spoke calmly, too calmly. “Before this meeting ends, you’ll know what kind of empire we’ve been funding.”
One of the board members shifted. “Miles, this isn’t the time for theatrics.”
He pressed a button on the screen behind him. Rows of offshore accounts appeared, names, dates, signatures. Jean Morel Holdings.
Gasps rippled through the room.
Juliet watched his father, Jean, stiffen but say nothing. His face was stone, but his eyes burned.
Miles turned to him. “You built this empire on corruption. You killed Michael Morel when he uncovered it. And you used Detective Lang to cover it up.”
Jean’s voice came sharp as a blade. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, I do,” Miles said, voice trembling with contained fury. “Because I was your son, and your pawn.”
Before anyone could react, the glass doors burst open. Detective Lang strode in, gun drawn.
“Everyone stay seated.” His eyes flicked from Jean to Miles. “This meeting is over.”
Juliet’s pulse exploded. She rose, but Miles gestured sharply for her to stay still.
Lang smirked. “I warned you, kid. Your father said you’d be too sentimental.”
“Then you know I’m not afraid to bleed for the truth.”
Lang c****d the gun, pointing it at him. “You sound like your brother.”
Juliet’s scream broke the silence. “Don’t!”
But the shot never came. From behind Lang, Officer Valois appeared, gun drawn. “Drop it, Commissioner.”
Lang turned but too late. The room was filled with the sound of shattered glass and shouts.
When the chaos ended, Lang was in handcuffs, Jean Morel pale and trembling as the board watched everything crumble.
Juliet ran to Miles, breathless. “It’s over,” she whispered.
He nodded, voice hoarse. “No, Juliet. It’s only beginning.”
Midnight Letter #56 Michael,
Truth doesn’t set you free. It breaks the glass around your heart, piece by piece, until you bleed honesty.
- Writer
