Chapter 7: The Confession in the Firelight
The board members shifted uncomfortably, exchanging panicked glances. Laurent’s chief legal counsel stood up. "Mr. Laurent is in frail health. Whatever historical grievance this woman has—"
"Sit down," Julian commanded.
The tone was so absolute, so devoid of hesitation, that the lawyer sank back into his chair. Julian stepped forward, placing the DNA report and a thick folder of historical land deeds onto Arthur's lap.
"Look at me, Arthur," Julian said.
The dying billionaire looked up. For the first time in his life, Julian saw naked terror in the old man's eyes.
"Is it true?" Julian asked, his voice deceptively calm. "Did my father die because he wouldn't let you bulldoze his life for your offshore shell companies?"
Arthur closed his eyes. A single tear tracked through the deep creases of his withered face. "Marc was stubborn, Henri... He had evidence that would have destroyed my family's foundation. I never ordered the fire. It was my associates—rogue contractors trying to prove their loyalty. By the time I found out, the building was gone."
"And me?" Julian pressed. "Why didn't you return me to my mother when she woke from the coma?"
"Because you were brilliant," Arthur whispered, a twisted look of pride and shame distorting his face. "Even as a toddler, you had Marc's fire. I couldn't undo the murder, so I thought... I thought I could redeem my soul by turning Marc's son into the king of everything I built. Everything I own is willed to you, Julian. The entire empire is yours!"
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"My name is not Julian Laurent," he replied with chilling clarity. "And your empire was built on the ashes of my childhood."
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