Chapter 8 - VIVIENNE'S LAST WARNINGVivienne had not been arrested.
There was insufficient evidence to prove intent.
Julian hated that fact.
But he hated something else more.
Her silence.
For three days she disappeared.
Then she called.
“I need to see you.”
Julian refused.
“Please.”
“No.”
“I know who is behind this.”
Julian stopped.
“Who?”
“Meet me.”
He agreed.
They met in an empty restaurant after closing.
Vivienne looked different.
No makeup.
No jewelry.
No designer dress.
She looked exhausted.
Julian sat across from her.
“Talk.”
Vivienne folded her hands.
“Richard Vale.”
Julian watched her.
“You knew?”
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“Long enough.”
“Then why did you marry me?”
Vivienne looked down.
“At first, because I wanted what Elena had.”
Julian's face hardened.
“Love?”
“Power.”
She swallowed.
“And then I actually fell in love with you.”
Julian said nothing.
“That made everything worse.”
“Did Vale tell you to hurt Evie?”
Vivienne began crying.
“No.”
“Then why?”
“Because I wanted you to choose me.”
Julian stared at her.
“You almost killed a child because you were jealous.”
“I know.”
Her voice broke.
“I know.”
For the first time, Julian saw something beyond manipulation.
Regret.
But regret did not erase what she had done.
“What does Vale want?”
“Control of the trust.”
“Where is the trust?”
Vivienne shook her head.
“I don't know.”
“You're lying.”
“No.”
She reached into her purse.
A small key landed on the table.
“Your father left a vault.”
Julian stared at it.
“Where?”
“Below the old Mercer estate.”
“Why are you telling me?”
“Because Vale knows I failed.”
Julian looked at her.
“And what happens now?”
“He kills me.”
Silence.
Julian's eyes narrowed.
“Where is Vale?”
Vivienne looked toward the window.
“He'll come for Evie.”
Julian stood.
“You're coming with me.”
She looked surprised.
“Why?”
“Because if you're telling the truth, you're a witness.”
“And if I'm lying?”
Julian's voice was cold.
“Then you won't get a second chance.”
They left together.
But before they reached the car, a gunshot shattered the restaurant window.
Vivienne screamed.
Julian pulled her down.
Another shot.
Then silence.
Marcus arrived seconds later.
The shooter was gone.
But on the sidewalk lay a folded note.
Julian opened it.
ONE CHILD. ONE TRUST. ONE NIGHT.
BRING HER TO THE ESTATE.
OR EVERYONE YOU LOVE DIES.
Julian looked at Vivienne.
She was trembling.
He understood.
This was no longer a battle for money.
May you like
It was a war over his daughter.
And Julian Mercer had just decided he was willing to burn his entire empire to save her.
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