Chapter 7
The police officer walking down the carpeted corridor moved with a deliberate, stiff caution that immediately set Elena's nerves on edge. He wore the standard dark blue uniform of the state police, but his cap was pulled low, casting a heavy shadow over the upper half of his face. More alarmingly, his holster was empty, and his hands were tucked deep inside his pockets as if concealing something heavy.
"That's not a real officer," Elena whispered, her breath hitching in her throat as she pressed her back harder against the wall of the alcove. "Where are Detective Vance and the others?"
"Mark had a contingency plan for every single scenario," Julian murmured, stepping slightly in front of Elena to shield her from view. His eyes narrowed as he watched the bogus cop approach the heavy oak door of the bridal suite. "He knew Vance was closing in, so he planted a rogue operative inside the precinct weeks ago. That man isn't here to investigate fraud. He's here to destroy the physical evidence Mark left behind in that room."
Elena stared at Julian, her mind racing to connect the terrifying puzzle pieces. "The paperwork Vance just brought up... the server backups... they're still sitting on the dressing table inside."
"Exactly," Julian said grimly, sliding his hand inside his jacket to retrieve a heavy, cold object.
Elena caught the metallic glint of a silenced pistol and recoiled, her eyes widening in sheer disbelief. "You brought a gun into a wedding venue? Who are you really, Julian? Because right now, you look less like a wronged brother and much more like a hired assassin."
"I am a man trying to survive a war my twin started," Julian answered coldly, not breaking eye contact with the approaching imposter. "Mark adopted my identity five years ago when I refused to sign away my share of the family trust. Every business deal, every public appearance, every romantic milestone—he lived my life while I was locked away in that white-walled hell. And now, he's trying to tie up the final loose end."
"The loose end being me?" Elena asked, a cold shudder running down her spine despite the stifling heat of the hallway.
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"You were meant to be the trophy that cemented his corporate empire," Julian said softly, reaching out to gently brush a stray lock of brown hair from her forehead. "Instead, you became the catalyst that brought his entire house of cards tumbling down. But he won't let you walk away with the truth. Stay behind me, Elena. Whatever happens next, do not scream."
Down the hall, the fake police officer reached the bridal suite door. Without knocking, he twisted the brass handle and slipped silently inside, the heavy wood clicking shut behind him with a finality that sounded like a death knell.
