Chapter 14 - THE WOMAN WHO CHOSE TO TELL THE TRUTHThe flash drive contained years of recordings.
Vale.
Politicians.
Executives.
Bribes.
Threats.
Murder.
And Vivienne's own voice.
She had secretly recorded conversations.
Julian listened.
Her voice was calm in every recording.
Manipulative.
Strategic.
Cold.
But there was one recording that changed everything.
Vale said:
“Evie must die before the trust matures.”
Vivienne asked:
“And Julian?”
“Broken.”
Julian stopped the recording.
He looked at Vivienne.
“You knew.”
“Yes.”
“You heard him say that.”
“Yes.”
“And you still married me.”
Vivienne began crying.
“I thought I could control him.”
“You couldn't.”
“No.”
She wiped her tears.
“I was wrong.”
Julian looked at Elena.
Elena nodded.
“She's telling the truth.”
Vivienne stared at Evie.
“I don't expect forgiveness.”
Evie looked at her.
“Are you the lady who made me fall?”
Julian stepped forward.
But Vivienne answered first.
“Yes.”
Evie's face became frightened.
Vivienne lowered herself to the floor.
“I was wrong.”
Evie watched her.
“You scared me.”
“I know.”
“Daddy saved me.”
Vivienne nodded.
“He did.”
Then Evie asked:
“Are you sorry?”
Vivienne broke.
“Yes.”
The word came out as a sob.
“I am.”
Evie looked at Julian.
Julian said nothing.
Finally Evie whispered:
“Then don't do it again.”
Vivienne closed her eyes.
“I won't.”
The evidence was enough to destroy Vale.
But Julian needed him alive.
He needed Vale to confess.
And there was only one place they could force that confession.
The Mercer board meeting.
Public.
Televised.
Impossible to erase.
Julian prepared everything.
Then he received a message.
COME ALONE.
Attached was a photograph.
Evie at school.
Taken that morning.
May you like
Julian stared.
Vale was still watching.
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