Chapter 18 - Ironclad Protection
Julian arrived at the corporate suite less than fifteen minutes later, his face pale with a terrifying, cold fury. He read the encrypted email on Maya’s phone, his jaw clenched so tightly it looked like it might shatter.
"I underestimated their reach," Julian stated, pacing the living room like a caged tiger. "Marcus’s criminal associates must have bribed a hospital orderly to snap this photograph. It's a classic intimidation tactic."
"Julian, I have to retract my statement," Maya cried desperately, sitting on the sofa with her head in her hands. "I can't let them hurt my father. He just got his life back!"
"Absolutely not," Julian said firmly, immediately crouching down in front of her and taking both of her shaking hands in his. "Maya, listen to me. If you retract your statement, Victoria and Marcus walk free. And the second they are free, they will kill you both anyway to tie up loose ends. Testifying is the absolute only way you survive this."
"But my dad—"
"I am moving him," Julian interrupted smoothly. "Tonight. I have a private, fully staffed medical compound on my estate in the Hamptons. It is guarded by ex-military contractors. Nobody gets within a mile of that property without triggering alarms. Your father will be safer there than the President."
Maya looked into his piercing blue eyes, desperately searching for reassurance. She found nothing but absolute, ironclad certainty.
May you like
"And what about me?" Maya whispered.
"You are not staying in this corporate suite anymore," Julian declared, standing up. "It’s too predictable. You are coming with me. You will stay in my personal penthouse until the trial is over. I am not letting you out of my sight for a single second."
