Chapter 8 - The Money Behind the Marriage
Daniel helped investigators untangle the finances.
In the process, Elena learned Julian had begun hiding money three years earlier.
Long before Victoria.
Long before the affair.
Possibly long before their marriage began collapsing.
He had opened accounts using documents Elena had signed for unrelated purposes.
He had forged authorization forms.
He had even taken out a credit line against property they jointly owned.
Elena sat across from Daniel surrounded by spreadsheets.
“How did I miss this?”
“You trusted your husband.”
“That sounds stupid now.”
“It isn’t.”
Daniel looked at her.
“Trust is not stupidity. Exploiting it is.”
Elena studied him.
Daniel had always been gentle.
Years ago, before Julian, there had almost been something between them.
But neither had acted on it.
Now was not the time.
Daniel seemed to understand that without her saying it.
He never flirted.
Never pushed.
Never tried to turn her vulnerability into opportunity.
He simply helped.
And slowly, Elena remembered what safety felt like.
Then Daniel discovered a transfer that changed the case.
$900,000 had moved from Northstar into an account belonging to Celeste.
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Julian’s mother had not merely known.
She had benefited.
