Chapter 2
Gasps erupted among the high-society guests as security guards sealed the massive oak doors of the estate.
Billionaires, senators, and Wall Street executives exchanged panicked glances in the dim, golden light of the chandelier.
Julian raised his head slowly, his face pale and blotchy from frantic weeping.
"Edward, please don't call the authorities," Julian begged, his hands trembling violently.
"Chloe made me do it... she threatened to destroy my family's firm if I didn't help her!"
Chloe’s eyes widened in sheer disbelief as she glared down at her husband in the charcoal suit.
"You pathetic liar!" Chloe screamed, stepping forward with her manicured hands clenched into tight fists.
"You were the one who held her down in the library three nights ago!"
The entire ballroom gasped again, horrified by the casual confession echoing through the air.
Edward did not flinch; he slowly reached into his tuxedo pocket and pulled out a gold pocket watch.
"You have two minutes to tell me where the missing ledgers are, Chloe," Edward stated coldly.
"The ledgers that prove you stole forty million dollars from Elena's personal inheritance."
Elena turned her head slightly, her dark eyes meeting Edward’s cold gaze with silent, tragic gratitude.
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"The ledgers aren't in the house, Edward," Elena whispered, her raspy voice breaking the tension.
"They're hidden inside Julian's private office on Wall Street."
