Chapter 4 - The Framed Waitress
Emily looked at Julian’s outstretched hand, her mind racing in confusion and shock.
"Mr. Mercer, I... I can't," Emily whispered, wiping her cheek. "I haven't done anything wrong. If I leave now, Mr. Vance will report me to the police and ruin my record. I didn't take any money from the register!"
Richard puffed out his chest, trying to regain his authority. "She's lying! The register was short five hundred dollars today, and she was the only one on shift during the morning opening!"
Lily tugged at Julian's coat sleeve. "Papa, she didn't take it. I saw the mean man put white envelopes in his own drawer earlier."
Richard's eyes widened in sudden panic. "You brat! How dare you—"
In less than a second, two of Julian’s bodyguards stepped between Richard and the little girl. The air in the luxury restaurant grew suffocatingly cold.
Julian didn't raise his voice, but his words carried absolute lethality.
"Check the security footage, Marcus," Julian ordered his lead bodyguard without taking his eyes off Richard.
"There is no footage!" Richard yelled nervously, sweating profusely under his collar. "The cameras were undergoing maintenance this morning! You can't just search my establishment!"
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"I own the building, Vance," Julian replied calmly. "I bought the deed three hours ago as a Christmas gift for my foundation. Which means every camera, every vault, and every corner of this building belongs to me."
👉 What shockingly twisted truth was waiting inside Richard's private office safe?
