Chapter 4

The consolidation of "Mark's" assets began almost immediately after the funeral.

Mark, as "David," with Jessica and Eleanor whispering in his ear, started making inquiries.

"Clara, dear," Eleanor said one morning, her voice dripping with false sympathy, "we need to think about the estate, about Innovatech. With Mark gone, and David... well, not himself yet, things need to be managed."

Jessica chimed in, "Yes, Clara. Mark wouldn't want everything to fall apart. And your trust fund, it's tied to Innovatech shares, isn't it? We need to protect your interests, and Emily's."

Protect my interests. The irony was thick enough to choke on.

Mark, playing the concerned brother-in-law, added, "I know this is hard, Clara. But perhaps I can help. Mark and I... we often discussed business. Some of it is... vaguely familiar."

He was eager to get his hands on the company, and more importantly, on the wealth he believed was now within his grasp – Mark' s assets, and through me, my family' s fortune.

"I don't know anything about finances," I said, looking suitably lost and overwhelmed. "Mark always handled it. He said I shouldn't worry my pretty little head about it."

A flicker of contempt crossed Eleanor' s face at my feigned ignorance, quickly smoothed over.

Jessica patted my hand. "Of course, dear. That's what husbands are for. Now, David can help."

This was my opening.

"Innovatech," I sighed. "Mark poured his life into it. I wouldn't want his legacy to suffer." I paused, then looked at Mark (as David). "David, you knew Mark's vision better than anyone. Perhaps... perhaps you should take over the financial oversight for now? I wouldn't know where to begin."

It was exactly what they wanted to hear.

Mark' s eyes lit up, a predatory gleam he quickly veiled with solemn responsibility. "If you think I can help, Clara. For Mark. For Emily."

"Oh, I'm sure you can," I said, my voice soft. "You always were the more business-savvy one, weren't you?" A little lie, David was never interested in the core business, only the get-rich-quick schemes Mark sometimes dabbled in.

Jessica beamed. "See? David will handle everything."

I signed the papers they put in front of me, granting "David Reinhart" temporary authority over Innovatech's financial decisions, citing my grief and lack of expertise.

They thought they were winning.

They didn't know I had informally managed Innovatech' s real books for Mark for years, knew every stable asset, every foolish gamble, every ounce of leverage.

Mark was brilliant at robotics, a visionary. But he was a reckless spender, always chasing the next big thrill, easily swayed by risky ventures if they promised quick, massive returns.

He kept the company afloat through sheer innovation and my quiet, steady financial management in the background.

Now, "David" was in charge.

And I knew exactly which of Mark's "exciting" speculative ventures to subtly guide him towards.

The ones that were financial time bombs, ticking down.

The stable assets? I'd make sure he overlooked those, redirecting his attention to the glittering mirages of quick profit.

Innovatech was heavily leveraged. It wouldn't take much to tip it over the edge without a steady hand.

And Mark, playing David, was anything but steady. He was greedy and impatient.

Let him have the reins. Let him drive it into the ground.