Chapter 6
The conflict-of-interest review found something Julian had never disclosed.
Eighteen months earlier, before he met Vanessa, Julian invested $600,000 in a private marine-logistics fund.
That fund later transferred most of its capital into Cole Marine Holdings.
Julian claimed he did not know Ethan would become the controlling partner.
Documents suggested otherwise.
Emails showed Julian communicating directly with Ethan about the investment.
Cesare read them twice.
One line stood out.
If Boston contract lands, everybody gets healthy.
The email was dated two months before Vanessa announced the pregnancy.
Cesare called Julian into his office.
He placed the email on the desk.
“You own part of Ethan’s problem.”
Julian looked at it.
Then sat down.
“It’s an investment.”
“You advocated for his contract without disclosing it.”
“I was going to.”
“When?”
Julian said nothing.
Cesare continued.
“Before or after the board voted?”
“It wasn't supposed to matter.”
“Eight million dollars usually matters.”
Julian stood.
“You act like you've never mixed business and family.”
Cesare did not answer immediately.
Because he had.
For decades.
Julian had learned that behavior somewhere.
Cesare pointed toward the email.
“Did the fake pregnancy help you make Ethan look safer to the family?”
Julian’s face hardened.
“No.”
“Did you know?”
“No.”
Again.
Too fast.
Cesare watched him.
“You're protecting a woman who humiliated your daughter.”
“I’m not protecting Vanessa.”
“Then what are you protecting?”
Julian looked toward the window.
“My daughter’s father.”
Cesare understood the sentence.
May you like
Julian was afraid of what the truth would make him.
But he still did not know exactly what Julian had done.
