Chapter 13 - The Real Owner
His name was Victor Mercier.
Julian's father.
The man everyone believed had retired years earlier.
He hadn't.
He had built the network.
Julian had inherited it.
And Maison Dubois had become one of its newest pieces.
Victor didn't threaten me.
That would have been easier.
Instead, he spoke calmly.
“You're young. You still believe truth automatically wins.”
I placed Daniel's recording on the table.
“Truth doesn't need to win.”
I looked him directly in the eye.
“It only needs to be heard.”
He smiled.
“You think one recording is enough?”
“No.”
I placed Margaret's statement beside it.
Then the bank records.
Then the photographs from the kitchen.
Then Julian's recording.
Victor's smile disappeared.
“You've been collecting evidence.”
“Yes.”
“You were never a cook.”
“I am a cook.”
I paused.
“But I was never only a cook.”
For the first time, Victor looked uncertain.
Marco stepped forward.
“We've already secured copies of everything.”
Victor looked at him.
“You think the authorities will believe you?”
“They don't have to believe us.”
Marco held up the evidence.
“They can verify it.”
Victor's composure cracked.
Julian turned toward his father.
“You told me she wouldn't find anything.”
Victor stared at him.
“You were supposed to control this.”
“I did.”
“No.”
His voice became cold.
“You panicked.”
Julian looked furious.
The family alliance began collapsing in front of us.
Victor finally understood that his own son could become the weakest link.
He turned toward me.
“What do you want?”
I answered immediately.
“Ethan goes home.”
“Done.”
“Beatrice is protected.”
He hesitated.
“Fine.”
“The kitchen staff get their unpaid wages.”
He stared at me.
“You're negotiating?”
“No.”
I leaned forward.
“I'm telling you what happens next.”
Victor laughed.
But the sound was empty.
Then sirens appeared outside.
Not because I had called them.
Marco had.
Victor looked toward the window.
His face finally showed fear.
Julian whispered:
“Dad…”
Victor turned to him.
May you like
And for the first time, he looked like an old man who had run out of places to hide.
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