THE WEDDING CRASHER WHO UNLOCKED A DECADE OF DECEPTIONS AND HIDDEN TRUTHS

Arthur stopped just inside the study, casually slipping his hands into the pockets of his charcoal overcoat.

"I didn't lie about everything, Julian," Arthur said smoothly, taking a slow step forward. "I genuinely cared about you. Your father was a weak man, paralyzed by his own guilt. But you? You had potential. I built this company up right beside him, and I wasn't about to let a few missing millions ruin decades of work."

"You let Olivia take the blame," Julian accused, stepping back until his legs hit the edge of the mahogany desk. "You let her live in poverty while you sat in luxury."

Arthur sighed, shaking his head with feigned disappointment.

"Olivia was collateral damage, Julian. Just like Sarah," Arthur said calmly. "Sarah got too greedy. She thought she could blackmail me using the foundation checks. That's why I let you catch her today. She served her purpose, and now she's out of the way."

Julian’s mind raced. If Sarah was just a pawn, and Arthur was the mastermind behind the entire operation, then Lucy was in grave danger.

"Where is Lucy?" Julian demanded, his eyes darting toward the window to calculate his escape.

Arthur’s smile faded, replaced by a cold, predatory glint.

"She’s currently waiting at the warehouse with some of my associates," Arthur replied smoothly. "And by now, they’ve retrieved the microcassette and the ledger. You see, Julian, you were predictable. I knew you'd send her there while you came here."

Julian lunged forward, raising the brass letter opener, but Arthur was faster.

With practiced agility, Arthur pulled a small, sleek firearm from his coat pocket and leveled it directly at Julian’s chest.

"I wouldn't do that, Julian," Arthur warned, his finger resting lightly on the trigger. "We can settle this like civilized men, or we can end this right here on your father’s rug."

Julian froze, staring down the barrel of the gun, realizing he had walked straight into a trap designed to eliminate the last remaining Vance.

"You'll never get away with this," Julian whispered. "The police know I'm here."

"The police think you’ve had a mental breakdown over the wedding catastrophe," Arthur corrected with a chilling smirk. "A tragic murder-suicide or an accidental shooting. It writes itself."