Chapter 10 - Venomous Lies|
Julian stood up instantly, his gentle expression vanishing, replaced by the lethal aura of a commander.
"Stay here," he instructed softly before walking toward the grand foyer.
Outside the front entrance, under the pouring rain, Matthew Hayes was screaming at the gate security detail.
"I know she’s in there!" Matthew yelled, his suit soaked, his hair wild. "Elise! Get out here! You can't hide behind Sterling forever!"
The heavy oak front doors opened, and Julian stepped out onto the covered porch, flanked by two massive security officers.
Matthew pushed past the guards at the steps, stomping up toward Julian. "Sterling! You stole my wife! You orchestrated this whole scandal to destroy my company!"
"You destroyed your own company the moment you let your mistress kick your wife," Julian said coldly, standing at the top of the stairs, unbothered by the rain. "And Elise is not your property. She is a free woman who wants nothing to do with you."
"She’s carrying my heir!" Matthew shouted, his face contorted in desperation. "I have rights!"
"You have no rights here," Julian replied calmly, pulling a document from his coat pocket. "This is a judge’s order terminating your parental visitation rights pending the outcome of your criminal investigation for corporate fraud."
Matthew went pale. "What... what fraud?"
"The SEC seized your private ledgers an hour ago, Matthew," Julian informed him with a cold smile. "You paid Saraphina three million dollars using company funds. That’s embezzlement. The federal marshals are probably looking for you right now."
Matthew stumbled back, his eyes wild with terror. "You... you set me up!"
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"No, Matthew," Julian said, turning his back on him. "You set yourself up. Now get off my land before I have my men drop you at the police station."
As the security guards dragged the screaming, ruined CEO down the driveway, Julian took a deep breath, adjusted his cuffs, and stepped back inside to the warmth of his home.
