Chapter 6: The Deal Behind the Locked Door
Delia pulled her hand away from the phone.
“I never borrowed money from Clara.”
Julian answered before I could.
“You signed the application, Mother.”
“You said it was a refinancing form.”
“And you believed me.
Just as Clara believed I loved her.”
I picked up the phone.
“This is your last chance, Julian.
Return to New York and tell the truth.”
“My last chance?
Conrad suspended your vote.
By tomorrow, the trust will recognize me as acting co-trustee.”
“Not after the recording.”
“What recording?”
Delia closed her eyes.
“The one from my study,” I said.
Julian’s voice sharpened.
“Mother, if that reaches the board, you will lose your home.”
“You already used my home against me,” Delia replied.
“You don’t get to use my fear too.”
He disconnected.
Adrienne stood.
“We take this to the company now.”
At Hale Meridian, the elevator opened onto a silent executive floor.
Sienna was waiting outside Julian’s office.
“You came back early,” I said.
“So did Julian.”
She held up both hands.
“I want to make a deal.”
“You forged my signature.”
“Julian traced it.
I filed what he gave me.”
“You created the false medical assessment.”
“He said it was protection in case you panicked.”
“You wore a bridal dress on my honeymoon.”
Her mouth tightened.
“That was my mistake.”
“No, Sienna.
It was a message.”
Adrienne opened the conference-room door.
“If you want a deal, start talking.”
Sienna placed her phone on the table.
“Julian owns Mercer Strategic Consulting through a nominee.
These messages prove it.”
“Why give them to us?” I asked.
“Because he planned to send the entire transfer to an offshore account and leave me responsible for the filings.”
The outer door slammed.
Julian entered with two private security guards.
“Sienna, step away from them.”
She snatched up her phone.
“You said I would get six million.”
“You’ll get nothing if you hand over company property.”
“It’s my phone.”
Julian reached across the table, but the company’s security director, Reid Morgan, caught his arm.
“Don’t touch her.”
Julian straightened his jacket.
“Clara, send everyone out.
We can still settle this privately.”
“You brought Sienna into our marriage.
You forged my name.
There is no private version left.”
“I will withdraw the transfer if you withdraw the annulment and confirm me as co-trustee.”
“No.”
“Then Delia loses her house, and the board receives proof that you concealed her unauthorized loan.”
Delia stepped into the room behind him.
“Send it.”
Julian turned.
“Mother—”
“You used my signature.
You used Clara’s.
Now you’re standing here asking us to save you from the truth.”
His face hardened.
“You’ll both regret this.”
Adrienne’s laptop chimed.
She read the incoming order and went still.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Julian’s attorney obtained a temporary court directive.
The bank must restore his access until tomorrow’s hearing.”
Julian’s smile returned.
“You should have accepted my offer.”
My phone vibrated.
A bank alert showed a transfer request for eighteen million dollars.
Reid reached for the evidence phone, but Julian knocked it from the table.
The screen cracked beneath his shoe.
Sienna stared at the broken phone.
“That was the only copy.”
Julian leaned close to me.
“By the time a judge hears your little recording, Clara, the money will be gone.”
May you like
Then Adrienne’s computer displayed a second alert.
TRANSFER APPROVED.
