Chapter 10
The first light of dawn broke grey and cold over the estate, casting long, melancholy shadows across the marble entryway where this entire nightmare had begun. Julian sat in the high-backed leather chair in his study, a untouched cup of black coffee growing cold on the desk before him. The house was unnaturally quiet. The heavy front doors opened with a crisp click, and Marcus walked in, accompanied by two court bailiffs and a uniformed police lieutenant carrying a sealed manila envelope.
Julian stood up to meet them, buttoning his suit jacket. "Marcus. You're early."
"When dealing with a flight risk who has offshore resources, timing is everything," Marcus said grimly, shaking his hand. He turned to the lieutenant. "Lieutenant Miller, the emergency custody and asset freeze injunctions have been signed by Judge Vance. We are authorized to execute them immediately."
Lieutenant Miller nodded, his face stern. "We have units securing the perimeter gates and the private dock. Where is Mrs. Vance?"
"She's in the master suite," Julian replied, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "Margaret and the security detail secured the interior wing at midnight. She hasn't left the room."
Together, the small group walked up the grand staircase, their footsteps echoing hollowly against the marble and wood. When they reached the heavy oak doors of the master suite, Julian motioned for the officers to wait while he knocked twice. There was no answer.
Julian tried the brass handle. It turned smoothly; the door was unlocked. He pushed it open, stepping into the expansive bedroom with Marcus and the police lieutenant right behind him.
The room was meticulously neat, as it always was. The bed was made, the wardrobe doors were closed, and the vanity table was cleared of all cosmetics. But the room was empty. The private balcony doors leading out to the rear gardens stood wide open, letting in the biting morning wind and a light drizzle of rain.
Julian walked quickly across the room and stepped out onto the stone balcony. Below, the sprawling emerald lawns stretched down toward the private boathouse. In the distance, a sleek black sedan could be seen idling near the outer gates, its tail lights glowing red through the misty rain.
Marcus stepped out beside Julian, looking down at the empty driveway. "She anticipated the injunction. She must have had a backup vehicle stationed beyond the private perimeter."
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Julian gripped the cold stone railing, his knuckles turning white. A strange sense of profound relief washed over him, mingling with the bitter residue of betrayal. "Let her run," Julian said quietly, the wind whipping his dark hair across his forehead. "She can take the money, the cars, and the offshore accounts. As long as she’s out of this house, Leo is safe."
Marcus placed a reassuring hand on his nephew’s shoulder. "The legal process will still pursue the remaining domestic assets to secure Leo’s future trust, Julian. But for now... the storm has finally broken."
