Semua Bab Revenge is Best Served Cold: Bab 81 - Bab 90

Elena's POV The confrontation with Carmen left me shaking with rage, but I forced myself to stay calm as Julian and I planned our response. Tom Mikell called back an hour later with more disturbing news. "Elena, Carmen and Dr. Parker offered Jake Morrison a different story than before," Tom said over the speakerphone. "They're claiming that you masterminded Marcus' fake death and then betrayed him to keep all the stolen money." "That's completely insane." "They have financial documents that they claim prove you moved money from Marcus' accounts immediately after his supposed death." "Those documents show me moving barely $50,000 from a joint account between Marcus' and me. Was I supposed to live on the streets penniless and give away whatever money was left? It's all perfectly legal." "I know that, but Carmen is spinning it differently. She's telling people that you planned the whole scheme to steal money from Marcus' investment clients." “What's $50,000 compared to mil

Elena's POV The emergency board meeting at Phoenix-Gray Industries started at eight in the morning. Julian and I sat at the head of the conference table, facing our five board members who all looked concerned about the media attention surrounding my past. "Elena, we need to address the allegations in Morrison's article," said Patricia Wells, our lead attorney and board member. "Three major clients called yesterday asking for explanations." "What exactly are they asking about?" "They want to know if you used stolen money to start Phoenix Advisory. They want proof that your business success is legitimate." I pulled out my usual folder full of documents and spread them across the table. "Here's what matters. The police investigation two years ago found no evidence that I took any money from Marcus or his victims. Zero evidence." Board member Robert Kim leaned forward. "But Morrison's article suggests you used stolen money to start Phoenix Advisory." "Morrison's article is

Elena's POV The wedding planner spread fabric samples across the conference table at Phoenix Advisory like she was displaying precious jewels. Silk, satin, lace, and tulle in every shade of white and cream imaginable. "For the ceremony backdrop, I recommend either the ivory silk with gold threading or the pure white satin with pearl details," Monica Stageman said, adjusting her designer glasses. "Both would complement the Grand Ballroom's architecture beautifully." I picked up a piece of ivory silk and held it up to the light streaming through my office windows. "What do you think, Julian?" "I think you'll look beautiful in whatever you choose." Julian was sitting beside me at the table, but I could tell his mind was on business. He kept glancing at his laptop screen where emails piled up faster than he could answer them. "The ceremony will accommodate five hundred guests," Monica continued. "The reception will flow seamlessly from cocktails in the Garden Room to dinner and

Elena's POV The mirror in the bridal suite reflected a woman I barely recognized. The twenty-thousand-dollar wedding dress fit me perfectly, flowing silk and intricate beadwork that caught the morning light. My blonde hair was styled in an elegant updo with tiny diamonds woven throughout, and my makeup was flawless. "Elena, you look absolutely stunning," said my wedding planner Monica, adjusting the train of my dress one final time. "Thank you. Is everything ready?" "The ceremony starts in thirty minutes. Your guests are seated, the flowers are perfect, and Julian is waiting at the altar." Julian. My future husband. The man who loved me despite my past, who invested in my dreams, who wanted to build an empire with me. In thirty minutes, I would walk down the aisle and marry the only person who ever made me feel truly safe. "Monica, I need a few minutes alone." "Of course. I'll be right outside if you need anything." After Monica left, I stood alone in the bridal suite

Elena's POV "Elena, stop." Julian's voice cut through my anger as I reached for the door. I was really upset, but I stopped anyway, my hand halfway to the brass handle of our Paris hotel suite. "Don't leave like this," he said quietly. "Not when we're both angry. Not when we haven't really talked about what's wrong." I turned around slowly. Julian stood in the middle of our honeymoon suite, still wearing his dinner clothes from our romantic evening that I had ruined with talk of going home early. "What's there to talk about? You think I'm wrong for wanting to check on business." "Elena, this isn't about business. This is about Marcus." "And I repeat again that it's none of your damn business!" Julian ran his hands through his hair, looking exhausted. "Elena your obsession is wrong, it's really bad for your health." "So you hired someone to spy on me?" "I hired someone to make sure you were safe! But what I discovered is worse than any threat against you." Julian