Chapter 8 — The Lawyer’s Confession
Marcus sat across from Vivienne in the abandoned living room.
For years, he had represented the Carter family.
He had protected their secrets.
But now, for the first time, he looked afraid.
“Your father discovered the fraud.”
Marcus finally said.
Vivienne said nothing.
She waited.
“He found out Eleanor and several investors were moving money from his company into private accounts.”
“And Ethan?”
Marcus looked down.
“He was involved.”
The answer still hurt.
Even though she already knew.
“How did he get close to me?”
Marcus sighed.
“Ethan was supposed to gain your trust.”
Natalie’s face hardened.
“So the marriage was a business deal?”
Marcus did not answer.
He didn’t need to.
Vivienne looked away.
The memories came rushing back.
Their first date.
Their wedding.
The day Ethan cried when they found out she was pregnant.
Was any of it real?
“Did he ever love me?”
The question escaped before she could stop it.
Marcus looked at her.
For the first time, he showed sympathy.
“I don’t know.”
That answer somehow hurt more.
“Ethan changed.”
Vivienne looked up.
“What do you mean?”
Marcus continued.
“At first, he followed the plan.”
He paused.
“But after years with you… things became complicated.”
“Complicated?”
“He started protecting you.”
Natalie frowned.
“Then why did he help them trap her?”
Marcus looked at the floor.
“Because he was trapped too.”
Vivienne’s eyes narrowed.
“No.”
She stood.
“He made a choice.”
Marcus nodded.
“Yes.”
A painful silence filled the room.
“He chose money over courage.”
Then Marcus reached into his briefcase.
He pulled out a file.
“This is why they were desperate to control you.”
Vivienne opened it.
Inside were documents about her father’s company.
But one page caught her attention.
A shareholder agreement.
Signed eight years ago.
A hidden clause.
If Vivienne discovered financial crimes committed against the company…
She would automatically gain complete control over the remaining assets.
Natalie looked shocked.
“Your father planned this.”
Marcus nodded.
“He knew someone would betray him.”
Vivienne turned the page.
There was a handwritten note.
Her father’s handwriting.
“If they come for my daughter, they will reveal themselves.”
Her hands trembled.
The entire trap had exposed them.
The missing ring.
The public humiliation.
The false accusation.
They thought they were destroying her.
But they had accidentally revealed everything.
Then Marcus’s phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
His face changed.
“Who is it?”
Vivienne asked.
Marcus slowly showed them.
The caller name.
ELEANOR CARTER
Vivienne stared.
“Answer it.”
Marcus hesitated.
May you like
“Why?”
“Because she needs to know we are listening.”
