Chapter 4 - THE FIRST LIE
They returned downstairs just after midnight.
The guests had been moved into the library while police took statements.
Nobody was allowed to leave yet.
The elegant dinner that had begun with champagne and string music had collapsed into whispers and flashing patrol lights outside the windows.
Elena sat alone at the end of the dining table.
Julian approached cautiously.
“Can we talk?”
She looked at him.
“You can.”
He sat opposite her.
“I should have defended you.”
“Yes.”
“I was shocked.”
“So was I.”
“I thought letting them search would prove Victoria wrong.”
Elena’s expression did not change.
“You still believed there was something to prove.”
Julian closed his eyes.
For once, he had no clever answer.
Elena had loved his confidence when they first met.
Now she understood the danger hidden inside it.
Julian believed every problem could be negotiated.
Every conflict could be smoothed over.
Every ugly truth could be delayed until later.
But some moments demanded a side.
Tonight he had chosen comfort over her dignity.
Thomas entered the room.
Julian stood.
“Mr. Sterling.”
Thomas ignored the formality.
“Elena, we found something.”
Arthur followed him carrying an old leather folder.
“This concerns me as much as it concerns you.”
Arthur placed several bank statements on the table.
Northstar Meridian had received four transfers during the past year.
Each transfer came from a consulting firm connected to Victoria.
Julian stared at the amounts.
“Two hundred thousand.”
“Three hundred thousand.”
“Another five hundred.”
Arthur nodded.
“Almost two million dollars.”
Victoria appeared in the doorway with an officer behind her.
“This is harassment.”
Arthur looked at her.
“Where did the money come from?”
“My business.”
“What business?”
“My consulting work.”
Arthur’s jaw tightened.
“You have never operated a consulting company.”
Victoria’s eyes flicked toward Eleanor.
Elena noticed.
So did Thomas.
Thomas leaned back.
“There.”
Victoria frowned.
“What?”
“That look.”
Thomas pointed gently toward Eleanor.
“You have been protecting someone all night.”
Eleanor stood.
“That is absurd.”
Thomas continued.
“The necklace was planted by Victoria.”
“The forged transfer was placed in Elena’s desk.”
“And the money leads to a company associated with Eleanor’s brother.”
Arthur looked at the woman he had once trusted with every family account.
“Tell me I am wrong.”
Eleanor’s eyes filled with anger.
“You have always treated me like an outsider.”
Arthur’s expression hardened.
“You married my son.”
“And you never let me forget whose family built everything.”
Julian stared at his mother.
“What did you do?”
Eleanor smiled without warmth.
May you like
“What I should have done years ago.”
That was the moment everyone realized the night had only begun.
