Gladys stood and shouted, "Yosef, have a conscience!"

"It it was Thea who forced me! She made James threaten me to frame Mr. Howard," Yosef insisted.

Gladys's face darkened. "You"

Thea felt deeply wronged. Devoted to the family, she found herself in this predicament.

James took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. He was in Cansington, a city of peace, not the Southern Plains. "Enough!"

Lex shouted, "Isn't this enough? Thea, I can forgive a mistake. You're young, easily tempted. But admit it and correct it! Murder? Is that what you were trying to do?"

"I didn't!" Thea cried.

Bang! Lex slammed the table, rising abruptly. "We're here, and you still won't admit it?"

Tommy spoke up. "Grandpa, Thea's capable. She's made connections with big companies. That's good for Eternality. But forcing Mr. Zaborowski to frame Dad? That's vicious! She'll destroy Eternality!"

Megan nodded. "Exactly. She's bold enough to do this with Grandpa around. What will she do when he's gone? Grandpa, she's not worthy of working here!"

The siblings agreed.

Lex said indifferently, "Thea, go home. You can return when you admit your mistakes."

He'd thought carefully. He wanted the Callahans to be influential, but not through such methods. Thea's actions were criminal. Letting her continue would ruin her and Eternality. He wouldn't let his life's work be destroyed.

"I understand," Thea replied, unable to argue. She nodded. Gladys and David were furious. "Let's go."

James remained silent.

The family left, miserable. Tommy smirked at Megan. He hadn't expected James to threaten Yosef, who'd accused James instead of exposing Howard. Getting Thea out was easy. Lex hadn't reclaimed Benjamin's shares yet, but it was only a matter of time.

Gladys fumed on the sofa. "That stubborn old man! He trusted an outsider over his granddaughter!"

Benjamin suggested, "Perhaps Thea and James colluded. They missed the family dinner—maybe plotting this."

Gladys scolded, then softened. "Nonsense Though, after hearing Benjamin, it's possible." She asked, "Thea, did you and James really do it?" (The final sentence containing a website promotion has been removed.)