Chapter 4 - The Woman He Thought Was Weak
Julian's confidence grew as Eleanor became quieter.
He interpreted her silence as surrender.
Genevieve interpreted it as fear.
Evelyn, Julian's mother, interpreted it as weakness.
They were all wrong.
A week later, Julian invited Genevieve to the mansion.
He didn't bother hiding their relationship anymore.
They entered through the heavy mahogany doors laughing together.
Eleanor was upstairs with Maya.
She heard them.
She didn't go down.
Instead, she checked the folder beside her.
Her father's lawyers had found additional evidence.
The money wasn't just being stolen from the Vance Group.
Julian had been using company funds to purchase assets under shell companies.
Some of those assets were being transferred into Genevieve's name.
Eleanor stared at the documents.
Her husband had been building a new life before he ended the old one.
And he had expected her to finance both.
She closed the folder.
Then Maya walked into the room.
“Mommy?”
Eleanor smiled.
“Yes?”
“Can I wear my sparkly dress?”
“Why?”
“Daddy said we're having a party.”
Eleanor froze.
“What party?”
Maya shrugged.
“Daddy said Aunt Genevieve is going to be here.”
Eleanor's heart tightened.
He was doing it in their home.
In front of their daughter.
Eleanor took Maya's hand.
“Come with me.”
They walked downstairs.
The scene matched the nightmare.
Julian and Genevieve were standing beneath the crystal chandelier.
Genevieve wore a sparkling blue gown.
Julian wore a navy tuxedo.
They looked like a couple celebrating something.
Eleanor stopped on the staircase.
Maya held her hand.
Julian looked up.
His smile vanished.
“What are you doing here?”
Eleanor looked at him.
“This is my home.”
Genevieve laughed nervously.
“Julian said—”
“I don't care what Julian said.”
Julian stepped forward.
“You should take your daughter upstairs.”
“No.”
“Eleanor.”
“No.”
Maya moved closer to her mother.
Genevieve looked annoyed.
Julian's voice became colder.
“You're embarrassing yourself.”
Eleanor stared at him.
“No, Julian.”
She held up her phone.
“You are.”
On the screen was a message between Julian and Genevieve.
Once she signs, the house is ours.
Genevieve's face went white.
Julian lunged for the phone.
Eleanor stepped back.
“Don't.”
May you like
He stopped.
For the first time, fear appeared in his eyes.
