Chapter 12 - The Last Threat
Jessi immediately called Julian.
No answer.
She drove to his house with police.
The front door was open.
The house was empty.
On the kitchen table sat one object.
A wedding invitation.
Jessi's wedding invitation.
Across the front, someone had written:
You should have finished the ceremony.
Jessi's blood ran cold.
Marcus wasn't after her money anymore.
He was trying to destroy the last people who could testify against him.
Julian had access to the hidden account.
Claire knew about their mother.
Phoebe had the recording.
Daniel had the legal documents.
Everyone was a threat.
Jessi understood what Marcus would do.
He would separate them.
Then remove the evidence.
She called everyone.
“Meet at my father's old office.”
They arrived together.
Phoebe brought the original recorder.
Daniel brought the trust documents.
Claire brought the letters.
Julian brought the account records.
For the first time, every piece was in one room.
Then Jessi noticed something.
The original wedding recording had captured more than Luca's threat.
The microphone had remained active after the ceremony.
Hours later, while guests were being escorted out, Wendy had spoken privately to Marcus.
The recording contained her voice.
“You promised he would never hurt her.”
Marcus replied:
“He only has to frighten her long enough.”
Jessi stared.
Then another voice appeared.
Luca.
“I did what you told me.”
Jessi closed her eyes.
The recording continued.
Marcus said:
“Then tomorrow, the trust becomes ours.”
That was enough.
The entire plan was captured.
But Marcus knew about the recording.
And he was coming for it.
The building lights suddenly went out.
A door slammed downstairs.
Julian whispered:
May you like
“He's here.”
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