Chapter 6
An hour later, the atmosphere in Julian’s private study was far removed from the shattered celebration of the dining hall. The room was bright and airy, illuminated by sleek wall sconces that cast clean whites and gentle golden highlights across the polished mahogany bookshelves. There were no heavy shadows here; Julian preferred to conduct his business in absolute clarity. He sat behind his massive desk, having finally acquired a replacement cane from his armory.
The heavy doors opened, and his enforcers marched Colette into the room. She was a ruined picture of elegance, her sculpted satin gown wrinkled, her diamond earrings missing, and her makeup streaked with frantic tears. They forced her into a leather chair opposite the desk.
Julian steepled his tattooed fingers together, his broad shoulders relaxed but coiled with lethal potential. He watched her weep for a long moment before speaking.
"Do you honestly believe I will allow you to leave this room without providing the names of the men who convinced you to sabotage my cane?" Julian asked, his voice steady and cold.
Colette’s head snapped up. "What? No one convinced me! I told you, I did it myself! I wanted you to rely on me!"
"Are you suggesting that a woman who faints at the sight of blood suddenly developed the tactical foresight to orchestrate a crippling injury just to play nursemaid?" Julian asked, raising a single, dark eyebrow. "Or is it more likely that someone offered you a significant financial incentive to render me physically incapacitated?"
Colette swallowed hard, her rosy skin turning a sickly shade of gray. She realized that Julian’s mind was ten steps ahead of her lies. He didn't just see a domestic betrayal; he saw a syndicate conspiracy.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Colette whispered, avoiding his gaze.
"Did you think I was unaware of your clandestine meetings with the Rossi family last month?" Julian asked, dropping the name of his biggest rival like a physical blow. "Did you assume my security detail simply ignored you slipping into the back of their restaurant?"
Colette gasped, her hands gripping the armrests of the leather chair. "They... they approached me! They said if you were out of the picture, the merger could happen peacefully! They said if I was your wife and you were bedridden, I would have the power of attorney!"
"And what was your ultimate price for selling my legs to my enemies, Colette?" Julian asked, his jaw tightening as the full scope of her treason was laid bare in the bright light of the study.
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"Twenty million," Colette sobbed, burying her face in her hands. "Twenty million and a seat on the commission."
Julian leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "Did you truly believe the Rossi family would honor a deal with a woman foolish enough to leave a saw cut visible to a housemaid?"
