Chapter 18 - Sienna's Realization
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The financial documents projected on the screen were a map of Adrian's deceit. Naomi pointed a laser pointer at the highlighted bank transfers.
"Mr. Vale illegally borrowed against Halcyon assets to cover massive, undisclosed gambling debts," Naomi explained, her voice ringing with professional detachment. "He also used stolen funds to pay off the mortgage on Celeste Vale’s private estate, and funneled nearly two million dollars into luxury gifts and offshore accounts for his associate, Sienna Hart."
Sienna, who had been standing quietly near the door, suddenly gasped. The color completely drained from her beautiful face. She looked at the screen, recognizing the dates of the wire transfers and the receipts for the jewelry she was currently wearing.
"You told me that money was yours," Sienna whispered, her voice trembling as she stared at Adrian in horror. "You said your investments paid off."
Adrian, cornered and frantic like a trapped animal, rounded on her. His charming facade dissolved into pure venom. "Shut up, Sienna! Don't say another word, you stupid girl!"
"That is your answer to absolutely everything, isn't it, Adrian?" I asked, my voice cutting through his shouting. I stood up slowly from my leather chair, leaning my hands flat on the granite table. "Silence the woman. Frighten her. Hit her when she disobeys. Take what rightfully belongs to her and claim it as your own brilliance."
Adrian turned back to me, his chest heaving. "You arrogant bitch," he sneered, desperate to inflict one last wound. "You would be nothing without your father. You're just a charity case playing dress-up in his boardroom."
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I held his gaze, feeling the power of my own history rising in my chest.
"You are entirely wrong," I said.
