Chapter 5: Shadows in the Mansion
""You need to leave, Marcus,"" Julian said, standing up and towering over his uncle. ""This is my private residence.""
""It's a company property, technically,"" Marcus corrected, taking a step closer to the desk. ""And as the board's interim chairman while you prepare for your grand wedding—or what was supposed to be your wedding—I have a duty to protect this firm from liability.""
Marcus gestured to the two guards behind him. ""Clara, my dear, you've caused quite a bit of trouble running around with that useless notebook. My late brother was a visionary, but he was sloppy when it came to managing common workers. Your father was paid well to keep quiet.""
""My father died because of your greed!"" Clara shouted, her restraint finally snapping. ""He never took a penny of your bribe money!""
""And look where that pride got him,"" Marcus sneered. He looked back at Julian. ""Hand over the ledger, Julian. We destroy it, we give the girl a quiet trust fund in another state, and we tell the press that Sabrina broke off the engagement due to personal differences. We preserve the company, and everyone wins.""
Julian felt a surge of cold fury. He picked up the ledger and slipped it into his inner jacket pocket. ""If you think I'm going to cover up a murder to protect your stock options, Marcus, you clearly don't know me at all.""
Marcus’s expression hardened into steel. ""You always were too soft, just like your mother. You think you can play the hero? Look around you. You have no allies on the board. The news of your cancelled wedding is already causing our stock to plummet. You carry that book out of this house, and you destroy everything your father built.""
""My father built a house of cards on top of graves,"" Julian said coldly. ""Get out of my house before I have security throw you out.""
""I am your security,"" Marcus said softly. He gave a subtle node to the two men behind him.
Before the guards could step forward, the sound of tiny footsteps echoed in the hallway. Lily ran into the room holding a bright yellow crayon and a drawing of a house.
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""Daddy, look!"" she chirped innocently, running past the guards and wrapping her arms around Julian's leg.
The room froze. Marcus looked at the child, then back at Julian, his eyes flickering with a sinister calculation. ""A daughter... Well, well. That certainly changes the stakes, doesn't it?""
