Chapter 12
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When Marcus returned to the estate, he found Khloe waiting for him in his study. She had spent the entire afternoon reviewing the legal documents surrounding the frozen trust, determined not to be a passive bystander in this fight.
"How did the meeting go?" Khloe asked as Marcus poured himself a glass of whiskey, a rare indulgence that signaled his high stress levels.
"Julian is arrogant. He thinks he has the upper hand because he controls the corporate narrative," Marcus explained, taking a sip. "He all but admitted that he is trying to force a hostile buyout. But he is moving too fast. He must have leverage that I don't know about."
Khloe frowned, tapping a pen against her notebook. "David said Julian was looking into Elaine Parker’s legal team, right? Trying to get her to testify against you?"
"Yes. Which makes no sense. Elaine hates me, but she doesn't have any actual evidence of financial misconduct because there isn't any."
Khloe’s eyes suddenly widened. She remembered a conversation she had with Elaine months ago, right before the terrible night at the hospital.
"Marcus," Khloe said, her voice urgent. "Before Elaine betrayed us, she was acting erratic. She told me once that the corporate world was full of snakes, and that she always kept an 'insurance policy' just in case the big boys tried to throw her under the bus."
Marcus looked at her, his interest piqued. "An insurance policy?"
"Yes. What if she didn't just mean Isabella Rossi? What if Elaine knew something about Julian? She was the head of HR and internal communications. She had access to everyone's private emails and schedules."
"If Elaine has dirt on Julian, and Julian is trying to silence her with a plea deal..." Marcus trailed off, the pieces clicking into place. "That’s why he’s rushing the audit. He needs me out before anyone finds out whatever Elaine is hiding."
"We need to talk to her," Khloe said firmly.
"Khloe, absolutely not," Marcus rejected the idea instantly. "Elaine is in a maximum-security facility. She tried to ruin our lives. I am not letting you anywhere near her."
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"She won't talk to you, Marcus. She despises your power," Khloe argued, walking over to him. "But she might talk to me. She used to pretend to be my friend. I know how to read her. If we want to save our family's future, I have to go to that prison."
Marcus looked at his brave, unyielding wife. He hated the idea, but he knew she was right.
