Chapter 19 - The Last Betrayal
Julian disappeared before Roman could question him.
His apartment had been emptied. His bank accounts were frozen. His private driver claimed he had received instructions to leave the city, but nobody knew where he had gone.
Then Dr. Samuel Voss was found dead inside his clinic.
The police initially described the death as suspicious but refused to release further details.
Roman understood what it meant.
Someone was destroying the remaining witnesses.
Dominic arranged a meeting with federal investigators, providing copies of the recording, the financial documents, and the evidence linking Victor to the falsified medical records.
Roman knew that cooperating with the investigation would expose parts of his family's business.
He did it anyway.
For the first time, the Blackmere name was no longer a shield.
It was evidence.
I spent the next two days with my mother, helping her prepare a statement. Lydia agreed to testify. Malcolm, now under protective custody, provided details about the transfers and admitted that he had altered documents at Victor's direction.
Every confession brought us closer to the truth.
But Julian remained missing.
On the third night, Roman received a phone call.
He listened without speaking.
Then he handed me the phone.
Julian's voice came through the speaker.
"Nora, you need to listen carefully."
"Where are you?"
"That doesn't matter."
"It matters to the police."
He laughed bitterly.
"You still think the police are going to save you?"
Roman gestured for me to keep him talking.
I swallowed.
"Why did you work with Victor?"
"Because he promised me the company. He said Roman was too weak to lead the family, and that once the old accounts were settled, everything would belong to me."
"And Dr. Voss?"
"He knew what happened to Richard."
"What happened?"
Julian went silent.
Then he whispered, "My father killed him."
Roman's face changed.
Julian continued.
"Richard discovered that Victor was stealing money. He planned to expose everything. My father—my own father—arranged the meeting with Dr. Voss. He wanted Richard declared unstable so the board would remove him."
"Your father?"
"Malcolm Reed was my biological father."
The room went completely silent.
Julian explained that his mother had been involved with Malcolm before marrying into the Blackmere family. Richard knew the truth but had raised Julian as his own son to prevent a scandal.
Victor had used the secret to manipulate Julian for years.
When Richard threatened to expose the financial crimes, Malcolm and Victor arranged the confrontation that preceded his death. Julian had been present that night, hidden in an adjoining room.
He had heard the argument.
He had seen Dr. Voss enter.
He had watched his biological father leave with a medical bag.
"Why didn't you tell anyone?" I asked.
"Because Victor said he'd make certain I was charged with everything. He had documents with my signature. I was afraid."
I closed my eyes.
Another person had spent years allowing fear to choose his actions.
"Where are you now?" Roman demanded.
Julian's voice trembled.
"I have the original ledger."
"Bring it to us."
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Because Victor has my sister."
I looked at Roman.
Julian's voice dropped to a whisper.
"He's holding her at the old warehouse. He says he'll trade her for the ledger and Nora."
The call ended.
Roman immediately ordered a security team to the warehouse.
I knew he would tell me to stay behind.
Before he could speak, I shook my head.
"Don't ask me to disappear again."
His expression tightened.
"This isn't about courage. It's about keeping you alive."
"I know."
I reached for his hand.
"But if Victor wants me, I want him to understand something."
"What?"
I looked at the recording device on the table.
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"He doesn't get to decide what happens next."
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