Chapter 3 - The Woman Who Knew Too MuchVictoria disappeared after the dinner.
At least, that's what Julian told everyone.
He claimed she had left Boston.
He said she was embarrassed.
He said he would handle everything.
I didn't believe him.
Neither did Marcus.
We started investigating quietly.
Two days later, Victoria called me.
Her number appeared on my phone at 1:14 in the morning.
I answered.
“Hello?”
“Elena?”
Her voice trembled.
“Yes.”
“I need to talk to you.”
“Where are you?”
“I can't tell you.”
“Why?”
“Because Julian is looking for me.”
I sat up.
“What did you do?”
“Nothing.”
“Then why are you hiding?”
She breathed heavily.
“Because I found out what he was planning.”
I didn't speak.
“He told me he loved me.”
“I know.”
“He promised we'd be together.”
“I know.”
“He told me you were going to sign everything over willingly.”
I almost laughed.
“He lied.”
“I know that now.”
There was a long pause.
Then Victoria said:
“He wasn't planning to marry me.”
I frowned.
“What?”
“He wanted me to take the blame.”
“For what?”
“For the money.”
My heart stopped.
Victoria continued.
“He created fake invoices using my name.”
“So if the company investigated…”
“They'd think I stole everything.”
“And Julian?”
“He would claim he had no idea.”
I closed my eyes.
That explained everything.
He hadn't been preparing to leave me for Victoria.
He had been preparing to sacrifice both of us.
“Where are you?”
“I'll meet you tomorrow.”
“Send me your location.”
“No.”
“Victoria.”
“I need protection first.”
I understood.
“Fine.”
She hung up.
An hour later, my phone received a message.
A photograph.
It showed Victoria holding a flash drive.
Underneath it, she wrote:
This contains everything.
Then another message appeared.
If I disappear, give it to the police.
My blood ran cold.
The next morning, Victoria never showed up.
Her phone was turned off.
Her apartment was empty.
And Julian arrived at my office with two lawyers.
“We need to talk.”
I looked at him.
“Where is Victoria?”
His expression didn't change.
“I don't know.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Interesting.”
I opened my desk drawer.
Inside was a copy of her message.
Julian saw it.
His face changed for half a second.
Then the mask returned.
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
“You will.”
I stood.
“Because I'm done playing defense.”
He stared at me.
“What are you going to do?”
May you like
I smiled.
“Everything you should have been afraid I'd do eight years ago.”
Related Stories
