CHAPTER 3: THE LEAK
"What did you just say?" Julian snapped, his dark eyes flashing with anger.
"Check your phone, Julian," I said, letting a cold, sharp smile break through the oil smeared across my face.
Julian frowned, reaching into his inner breast pocket. Around us, a quiet chime echoed from an investor's phone at our table. Then another. Within ten seconds, half the guests on the terrace were pulling out their devices, their faces turning pale as notification banners flooded their screens.
Julian’s thumb flew across his display. The color drained from his face so fast he looked like a corpse.
"This... this is impossible," Julian choked out, his arrogance evaporating. "How do you have these documents?"
"What is it, Julian?" Eleanor demanded, snatching the device from his hand.
"The offshore ledgers, Mother," Julian stammered, his voice rising in panic. "The foundation's shell accounts in Zurich... they’re being broadcast live to the federal prosecutor's portal and every major financial news outlet!"
A collective gasp swept across the terrace.
Eleanor stared at the screen, her hand trembling so violently she nearly dropped the phone. The ironclad reputation of the Vance family was fracturing in real-time in front of their wealthiest allies.
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"You played us," Eleanor breathed, horror creeping into her voice. "The marriage... the estate paperwork... it was all a setup."
"You brought me into your house thinking I was an easy target," I said, standing up smoothly and smoothing down my satin dress. "You never bothered to ask why my maiden name sounded so familiar."
