Chapter 6 - The Plot Behind the Veil
On the high-definition screens, Julian stepped closer to Vanessa, wrapping an arm around her bare waist. He pulled her in, and to the absolute horror of every guest in the room, Vanessa tilted her head back and kissed him—deeply, passionately, without an ounce of hesitation.
"Everything is set," Julian's recorded voice murmured against her lips. "The merger clause is buried on page forty-seven of the postnuptial agreement. The moment Adrian signs the registry today, power of attorney over his voting stock transfers to you in the event of an 'incapacitating crisis.'"
Vanessa pulled back on screen, a cold, predatory smirk curling her red lips.
"And the crisis?" she asked.
"His offshore accounts will be flagged for money laundering tonight," Julian replied with a chuckle. "The SEC will freeze his assets by Monday morning. With his reputation shredded, the board will vote him out. You and I take control of Mercer Holdings, liquidate the real estate division, and walk away with four hundred million in the Cayman shell corporation."
"And that pathetic little mouse, Elena?" Vanessa asked on screen, sneering. "She won't try to stop us?"
"Elena Vance is finished," Julian sneered back. "I made sure the police found that Patek Philippe in her locker. She’s facing grand larceny charges. By the time she clears her name, we’ll be in Switzerland."
The video cut to black.
The silence that followed was terrifying. It was the kind of silence that precedes an explosion.
At the altar, Julian Hayes looked as if all the blood had been drained from his body. His hands shook violently against his trousers. He took half a step backward toward the side exit, but two private security officers—personally hired by Elena—stepped out from behind the velvet curtains, blocking the doors.
Adrian didn't yell. He didn't smash anything.
He slowly reached up, untied his black bow tie, and pulled it free from his collar. His eyes shifted from Julian to Vanessa.
"Four hundred million," Adrian whispered.
Vanessa fell to her knees, the heavy satin of her dress pooling around her like a shroud. "Adrian... please... he coerced me! He threatened my father! Julian orchestrated everything! I only did it to protect you! You have to believe me!"
Elena walked forward, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor, stopping right beside the shattered glass.
"She’s not done lying, Adrian," Elena said calmly. "There’s one more piece to her puzzle."
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