Chapter 9 - Whispers of Treachery
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Julian stared at Marcus, then looked at his wife, his eyebrows drawn in a tight line. "Elena, my mother told me you were poking around the corporate drives again. What is going on?"
"Julian," Elena said gently, reaching out to grasp his cold hands. "Your mother believes Vanessa is a saint. But Vanessa is stealing millions from your workers."
"That’s a heavy accusation," Julian said, his tone defensive yet shaken. "Vanessa was recruited by my late father! She’s been like a sister to me for a decade!"
"Then look at these," Marcus chimed in, stepping forward and laying a printed transaction log onto the desk. "These are signed clearance forms bearing Vanessa’s digital signature, transferring pension funds into an account registered under 'Vance Asset Management.' Do you recognize that name?"
Julian picked up the paper, his eyes scanning the numbers. As he read the dates and figures, the color slowly drained from his face. "This... this can't be right. These accounts were supposed to be locked in a high-yield treasury bond."
"She’s liquidating them, Julian," Elena urged softly. "She’s planning to flee the country before the end of the quarter."
Before Julian could answer, the floorboards outside the study creaked sharply.
Julian walked swiftly to the door and pulled it open. The dimly lit hallway was empty, but a faint scent of expensive French perfume hung in the air—Vanessa’s signature fragrance.
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Elena walked up beside him, staring into the dark corridor. "She knows we’re onto her, Julian. She’s going to strike back, and she’s going to do it soon."
Julian looked down at Elena, his expression hardening into dark resolve. "If she touches a single hair on your head or tries to destroy what my father built, I will tear her world apart."
