Chapter 6 - THIRTY STEPS
The courthouse was crowded that morning.
Attorneys moved between courtrooms.
Reporters waited near the entrance because rumors about Harrington Commercial Group had begun spreading through Philadelphia's financial circles.
Khloe wore a navy maternity dress and low black shoes.
At eight months pregnant, every step had become deliberate.
Harrison had gone inside to speak with the clerk.
A security officer stood less than forty feet away.
Khloe believed she was safe.
Then Vanessa appeared.
"Look at you."
Khloe turned.
Vanessa wore a cream suit and dark sunglasses.
She removed them.
Her eyes were red.
"You destroyed everything."
Khloe's hand moved protectively over her stomach.
"I didn't destroy anything."
"You froze the company."
"I froze stolen money."
Vanessa stepped closer.
"You don't understand what Richard built."
"With my money?"
"With his life."
Khloe laughed bitterly.
"Then maybe he shouldn't have forged my name."
People began slowing around them.
Khloe lowered her voice.
"Go away, Vanessa."
Vanessa moved closer.
"You were never supposed to find those documents."
That sentence confirmed everything.
Khloe reached for her phone.
Vanessa noticed.
"Don't."
Khloe looked up.
"What are you afraid I'll record?"
Vanessa's face twisted.
"Richard said you would eventually disappear from the business."
Khloe froze.
"What did you say?"
Vanessa realized she had said too much.
She grabbed Khloe's wrist.
Khloe pulled away.
"Do not touch me."
"Give me the phone."
"No."
Vanessa reached again.
Khloe stepped backward.
Her heel stopped inches from the first stair.
Several people shouted.
Vanessa grabbed for the phone.
Khloe twisted away.
Then Vanessa placed both hands against Khloe's shoulders.
And shoved.
There was no hesitation.
No accident.
No misunderstanding.
Khloe flew backward.
Her hand reached desperately for the railing.
She missed.
Her body struck the marble.
Once.
Twice.
Then again.
Thirty steps transformed into flashes of white stone and pain.
Somewhere above her, someone screamed.
Somewhere below, a security officer shouted for an ambulance.
Khloe felt something warm spreading beneath her dress.
Then Harrison's face appeared above hers.
His hands were bleeding.
His voice sounded broken.
"Stay with me."
Khloe tried.
She really tried.
"The baby."
She whispered.
"Harry, save my baby."
Her vision disappeared.
The last thing she heard before darkness took her was Harrison's voice.
"I promise."
Then another voice echoed from the staircase.
Richard.
"Vanessa, don't say anything."
May you like
Harrison heard him.
And that was the moment Richard Harrington made the worst mistake of his life.
