Chapter 8 - The Missing Fortune
Julian ordered a complete audit of the DeLuca empire.
Twenty-four hours later, the numbers were impossible.
Nearly four hundred million dollars had disappeared through shell companies.
The transfers had begun four years ago.
The same month Claire vanished.
Marco placed the documents on the desk.
“There is more.”
Julian looked up.
“All the money eventually moved through one foundation.”
“What foundation?”
“The Arden Children’s Foundation.”
Julian stared.
Claire had never mentioned it.
“Who controls it?”
Marco handed him a file.
“Cassandra Vale.”
Julian’s stomach dropped.
He read the documents.
Cassandra had inherited the foundation from her grandmother.
The foundation had received hundreds of millions in anonymous donations.
But the money had never reached children.
It had been moved into private accounts.
Julian walked to the window.
Cassandra.
Claire.
The missing fortune.
Vincent.
The poisoned champagne.
They were connected.
But how?
Nora entered the room.
“You found something.”
Julian turned.
“Yes.”
He showed her the documents.
Nora read them.
Her face changed.
“Claire knew.”
“What?”
“She told me someone was stealing money through children's charities.”
Julian stared.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“She was afraid you were being watched.”
Nora looked toward the hallway.
“Claire believed the person closest to you had access to every part of your life.”
Julian’s voice became very quiet.
“Cassandra.”
Nora did not answer.
She did not have to.
Outside the study, Lily was playing with her stuffed rabbit.
Suddenly she stopped.
She looked toward a portrait of Julian’s grandfather.
Then she whispered,
“That man is here again.”
Julian turned.
“There is no one there.”
Lily pointed.
Behind the portrait was a thin black feather.
Julian touched it.
The same black bird.
May you like
Someone had entered the house.
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