Chapter 9 - Shadows in the East Wing
That night, the atmosphere inside Vale House grew suffocatingly tense. Ethan invited Julian and Cynthia to stay for a formal dinner in the grand dining room, orchestrating a high-stakes psychological game to test their reactions. Maggie, acting as server, observed the exchange from the shadows of the pantry door.
"I was reviewing the Q3 logistics statements today, Julian," Ethan remarked smoothly, cutting into his steak while maintaining unbroken eye contact with his chief financial officer. "I noticed a rather peculiar discrepancy regarding port storage fees in Seattle. Millions seem to have vanished into an account called Meridian Trust."
Julian’s hand paused, his wine glass hovering inches from his lips. For a microsecond, his polished corporate composure fractured, his eyes darting toward Cynthia before he recovered with a forced chuckle. "Ah, Meridian Trust. That’s just a subsidiary hedging fund for currency fluctuations, Ethan. Standard protocol. Surely you don't suspect irregularity?"
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"I usually prefer to verify rather than assume, Julian," Ethan replied evenly. "Especially when millions of dollars are concerned."
Cynthia forced a tight, brittle smile, her fingers digging into the linen tablecloth. The invisible battlelines were drawn. Ethan knew they were stealing from him, and Julian knew that Ethan was closing the net.
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