Chapter 9
Julian arrived at Cesare’s house before sunrise.
No attorney.
No bodyguards.
He looked exhausted.
“I want to see the video.”
Cesare played it.
Vanessa entering the cloakroom.
Julian following.
Eleven minutes.
Julian emerging with the prosthetic bag.
When it ended, neither spoke.
Cesare asked:
“How long had you known before that?”
“That was the day I found out.”
“What happened inside?”
“She told me everything.”
“And you ended the relationship?”
Julian looked down.
“No.”
“Why?”
“At first because she was terrified.”
Cesare waited.
Julian continued.
“She said if everyone found out immediately, Ethan’s financing would collapse. Donors would ask questions. The board would delay his contract.”
“So?”
Julian rubbed his face.
“I had money in the company.”
There it was.
“But that still doesn't explain seven weeks.”
Julian looked toward the stairs.
“Where’s Avice?”
“Asleep.”
“Does she know?”
“She knows you lied when she asked whether you knew.”
Julian closed his eyes.
Cesare watched him.
“You have one opportunity before I hand everything to outside counsel.”
“I thought I could end it after the gala.”
“Why after?”
Julian did not answer.
Cesare leaned forward.
“What was supposed to happen after the gala?”
Julian looked at him.
For the first time, Cesare saw fear instead of defensiveness.
“We were going to say Vanessa lost the baby.”
Cesare sat back.
A fake pregnancy.
A fake ending.
A public tragedy invented to bury a private fraud.
But one piece still made no sense.
Why had Julian allowed Vanessa to keep interacting with Avice when the child clearly suspected the truth?
Julian answered before Cesare asked.
“I didn't know she was threatening Avice.”
May you like
Cesare believed that.
It did not save him.
