Chapter 2: The Celebration That Became a Trial
Chapter 2: The Celebration That Became a Trial
Marcus called exactly twenty minutes later.
"I've finished the investigation."
His voice was unusually serious.
"You need to leave."
"No."
"I'm ending this today."
Marcus sighed.
"I'll meet you inside."
An hour later, the ballroom filled with guests.
Business executives.
Judges.
Politicians.
Bankers.
Everyone Julian had carefully impressed for years.
A champagne glass rang.
Julian smiled proudly.
"I'd like to thank everyone for welcoming me into my new family."
Applause echoed through the room.
Then another voice interrupted.
"I have one question."
Every head turned.
Valeria stepped into the ballroom.
Silence swallowed the room.
Champagne glasses froze in midair.
Celeste stared in horror.
Julian looked as though he'd seen a ghost.
"You..."
He couldn't finish.
Someone whispered,
"I thought she was dead..."
Another guest looked between them.
"What is happening?"
Valeria calmly placed the divorce decree on the piano.
"You should explain."
Julian forced a laugh.
"This is... a misunderstanding."
Marcus entered behind her carrying several evidence boxes.
"I don't think so."
Large television screens descended from the ceiling.
Marcus connected the flash drive.
The room watched security footage of Julian forging documents.
Bank statements showing millions transferred into shell companies.
Emails proving he had maintained two households for years.
Then came the hospital surveillance footage.
Every guest watched Julian place divorce papers inside the folder he handed Valeria while she cried beside her dying father.
Gasps filled the ballroom.
One elderly judge stood.
"My God."
Celeste slowly stepped backward.
"You said she abandoned you."
Julian reached toward her.
"I can explain."
"No."
She shook her head.
"You lied to me too."
Then the little boy tugged on Julian's sleeve.
"Daddy..."
The innocent voice shattered what remained of Julian's carefully built image.
Security officers entered.
Then detectives.
Marcus quietly handed over one final folder.
Forgery.
Wire fraud.
Identity theft.
Financial conspiracy.
The lead detective looked directly at Julian.
"Julian Vance, you're under arrest."
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For the first time in years...
Julian had no words.
