Chapter 6 - THE DEAD MANDaniel wasn't dead.
He had been living under another name for six years.
And the reason was simple.
He had discovered that Blackwood Holdings was being used to hide money.
Not millions.
Billions.
Julian had not created the scheme.
He had inherited it.
His father had used offshore entities, shell companies, and fake acquisition agreements to move money out of Blackwood Holdings for decades.
Julian eventually discovered the system.
Instead of exposing it, he learned to use it.
That was why Isabel mattered.
She wasn't just a mistress.
She had been helping Julian move money.
Monarch Creative Solutions wasn't a marketing company.
It was a funnel.
Money entered.
Money disappeared.
And Isabel received enough to believe she was going to become the new Mrs. Blackwood.
She had no idea what Julian had promised her.
She only knew what he had shown her.
The house.
The jewelry.
The cars.
The future.
But Julian had made one mistake.
He had underestimated the woman who knew his passwords.
Me.
Because I had managed our household finances for seven years.
I knew which accounts paid the electricity.
Which account paid the gardener.
Which account paid the private school.
Which account paid Isabel's apartment.
I knew every number.
Every transfer.
Every lie.
That night, Isabel arrived at the estate.
She stood on the porch wearing a white coat.
She looked at me.
Then at Julian.
Then at my father.
Her confidence disappeared.
“You said she was gone.”
Julian didn't answer.
“You said this house would be mine.”
I stepped forward.
“It never was.”
She looked at me.
“Where is my money?”
I smiled.
“Frozen.”
Her eyes widened.
“You can't do that.”
“I didn't.”
I handed her a document.
“Your company was funded with stolen corporate money.”
She stared at it.
“You're lying.”
Laura stepped forward.
“Federal investigators disagree.”
Isabel looked at Julian.
“You told me everything was legal.”
Julian said nothing.
“You told me she was crazy.”
Nothing.
“You told me she didn't know.”
He still said nothing.
Isabel's face crumpled.
Then she whispered:
“You ruined my life.”
Julian finally looked at her.
“No.”
May you like
His voice was barely audible.
“You ruined mine.”
