Chapter 4
Julian didn't even flinch as the illuminated screen flashed before his eyes. He kept his hands steady on the steering wheel, his jaw clenching as he navigated a sharp turn onto the bridge. The city lights blurred into streaks of amber and neon, mirroring the fractured state of Valeria’s reality. She waited for him to stutter, to offer a frantic excuse, but the silence stretching inside the car was heavier and more damning than any confession.
"It’s not what it looks like, Valeria," Julian finally said, his voice disturbingly calm.
"Not what it looks like?" Valeria’s voice rose, cracking with disbelief. "You are looking at photographic proof that my ex-husband paid you off! While you were playing the supportive, knight-in-shining-armor boyfriend to me, you were reporting my every move back to the man who abused and cheated on me for five years!"
Julian sighed, signaling a lane change before glancing sideways at her. "Your ex-husband didn't buy me, Valeria. He hired me to keep you safe from your mother."
Valeria froze, the insult hanging in the air between them. "Safe from my mother? Are you insane? My mother is a retired schoolteacher who knits sweaters and drinks chamomile tea! What could she possibly need protection from?"
"Your mother isn't who you think she is," Julian said grimly, pulling the car over to the curb in a quiet, shadowy side street away from the main thoroughfare. He put the vehicle in park and turned to face her fully. "The green folder isn't just a collection of legal documents. It’s a ledger. It contains the financial trail of every corrupt land deal your father made before he died—deals that your mother helped orchestrate and cover up."
Valeria shook her head violently, tears finally spilling over her lashes. "No. You’re lying. You’re trying to deflect because you’re a spy for my ex-husband!"
"Ask yourself why your divorce settlement went through so easily," Julian countered, his gaze piercing. "Ask yourself why your ex-husband suddenly backed down from taking your company shares. Because your mother leveraged the ledger against him. And now, she’s using you as collateral to complete the final transaction."
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Before Valeria could process the crushing weight of this revelation, a blinding pair of headlights cut through the darkness directly in front of them. A sleek black SUV blocked their path, its doors flying open simultaneously.
Valeria reached for the door handle, but before she could push it open, the passenger window of their car shattered into a thousand glittering pieces as a gloved hand reached inside and unlocked the door from the inside.
