Chapter 8 - JULIAN’S CHOICE
Julian had not slept.
By evening, he was sitting in Arthur’s study surrounded by accountants, lawyers, and printed transaction records.
Every hour revealed something worse.
Northstar Meridian had financed a series of shell companies.
Those shell companies had purchased Vance Holdings debt.
Several had also paid consulting fees to Victoria.
But the most damaging discovery came from Julian’s own email archive.
An account belonging to Eleanor had forwarded confidential board documents to an outside address.
Julian stared at the screen.
“How long?”
The forensic analyst answered.
“Approximately fourteen months.”
Arthur looked away.
Julian stood.
“My mother has been leaking company information for fourteen months.”
Arthur said nothing.
Julian slammed both hands onto the desk.
“And nobody noticed?”
Arthur finally looked at him.
“You were president.”
The words landed hard.
Julian stepped back.
Arthur did not soften them.
“You wanted authority.”
“You complained every time I reviewed your decisions.”
“You said I did not trust you.”
“I gave you room.”
“And while you were enjoying the title, your own house was being emptied behind you.”
Julian stared at his grandfather.
“You think I do not know I failed?”
“I think you are only now discovering where.”
Julian walked toward the window.
He thought about Elena.
How many dinners had she endured while Eleanor mocked her clothes?
How many times had Victoria made jokes about Elena’s “little family”?
How often had Julian said the same thing?
Ignore them.
They do not mean it.
We will talk later.
He had believed avoiding conflict made him reasonable.
Now he saw what Elena had seen.
Silence had not kept peace.
It had protected cruelty.
His phone vibrated.
A message from Victoria.
COME TO MOM’S APARTMENT.
WE CAN STILL FIX THIS.
Arthur saw the screen.
“Are you going?”
“Yes.”
Arthur frowned.
“Why?”
Julian picked up his coat.
“Because they still think I can be manipulated.”
Arthur stood.
“And can you?”
Julian looked at the family portrait above the fireplace.
His mother.
His sister.
Himself.
Then he remembered Elena removing her ring.
“No.”
May you like
He slipped the phone into his pocket.
“But I need them to believe I can.”
