Chapter 7 - Marcus Reed
Marcus didn't hide.
He contacted Jessi himself.
His message contained only an address.
A private country club.
Jessi went with Phoebe and two detectives.
Marcus sat alone in a dark lounge.
He looked older than the photograph.
“You found me.”
Jessi sat across from him.
“You planned the marriage.”
Marcus smiled.
“I planned the opportunity.”
“You used Luca.”
“I used everyone.”
Marcus explained that Jessi's father had discovered his financial manipulation years ago.
He intended to expose Marcus.
So Marcus arranged a transfer of company assets.
But Jessi's father protected the remaining fortune.
Marcus couldn't access it.
Then Jessi inherited it.
He waited.
When Luca met Jessi, Marcus saw the opportunity.
Luca was arrogant.
Greedy.
Easy to influence.
Wendy was desperate to preserve her family's status.
Together, they were useful.
“You destroyed my wedding.”
Marcus shrugged.
“Luca destroyed your wedding.”
Jessi stared at him.
“You expected me to marry him.”
“Yes.”
“And then?”
“Once you were married, the trust would become vulnerable.”
Jessi leaned forward.
“You needed my signature.”
Marcus smiled.
“Exactly.”
The detectives quietly recorded everything.
But Marcus wasn't finished.
“There was one problem.”
“What?”
“You weren't supposed to find the recorder.”
Jessi's expression didn't change.
Marcus laughed.
“You think that little pearl saved you?”
Jessi stared at him.
“No.”
She stood.
“My father did.”
Marcus's smile disappeared.
The detective placed handcuffs on him.
But Marcus looked directly at Jessi.
“You still don't know why your father died.”
Jessi stopped.
Marcus whispered:
May you like
“Ask Wendy.”
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