Chapter 5 - CRACKS IN THE MASK
The revelation of the fraudulent marriage certificate exposed the terrifying scale of Julian’s deceit.
“He used a disgraced former justice of the peace to perform a mock ceremony,” Alexander explained, his voice laced with contempt. “It was a desperate stunt to pacify the board and project stability. He planned to discard Chloe the second the corporate shares were secured, just as he discarded you.”
Elena tightened her grip on her mug. The disgust she felt for her ex-husband was absolute. He viewed women as disposable utility assets.
“What are you going to do with Chloe?” Elena asked.
“I agreed to her terms,” Alexander said, looking at her intently. “But I need you to accompany me to the handoff tomorrow night.”
“Why me?”
“Because Chloe possesses something only you can verify,” Alexander took a breath. “The encrypted personal ledgers from Julian’s private server five years ago—the exact week he began orchestrating your financial isolation, and… the exact week my parents died in that car crash.”
Elena froze. The breath hitched in her throat. “You think Julian was responsible for your parents' death?”
“I don't suspect. I know,” Alexander’s voice vibrated with a suppressed, lethal rage. “But he erased the forensic trail. That week, the only person who had physical access to his home network… was you, Elena.”
A buried memory resurfaced in Elena’s mind. Five years ago, Julian had returned home late during a torrential storm, soaked and frantic. He had handed her a heavy, unlabelled external hard drive, instructing her to lock it inside her personal safe and never speak of it.
She had assumed it contained confidential corporate acquisitions.
“It’s still in my possession,” Elena whispered, her heart pounding. “I kept that drive inside my personal keepsakes box when I was evicted.”
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Alexander’s eyes ignited with a dark, terrifying intensity. He rolled his chair closer, his gaze locked onto hers with unbearable pressure.
“You hold his execution order, Elena,” he murmured softly. “Hand it over to me. I will strip him of everything he ever stole—his freedom, his wealth, and the arrogant pride he used to crush you.”
