Chapter 10 - THE FAMILY DINNERI wanted revenge.
Not destruction.
Not violence.
I wanted truth.
So I accepted Julian's invitation to a family dinner.
He thought he had cornered me.
I wanted him to keep believing that.
When I arrived at the Hale mansion, Victoria opened the door herself.
She smiled.
“Elena.”
“Victoria.”
She hugged me.
I didn't hug her back.
At dinner, everyone acted as though nothing had happened.
Julian poured wine.
His uncle discussed business.
His cousins laughed.
I sat quietly.
Then Julian leaned toward me.
“You look beautiful.”
I smiled.
“You always said that.”
“I meant it.”
“No.”
I looked into his eyes.
“You meant useful.”
His smile disappeared.
Victoria placed her fork down.
“This bitterness is unnecessary.”
“Then let's make it necessary.”
I pulled an envelope from my purse.
Nobody moved.
Inside were copies of the forged documents.
I placed them on the table.
Julian's face drained of color.
Victoria didn't blink.
“You forged my signature.”
“No.”
“You did.”
She looked at Julian.
He said nothing.
Then the dining room doors opened.
Mr. Carter walked in.
Behind him were two investigators.
Victoria stood.
“What is this?”
Mr. Carter smiled politely.
“A document preservation request.”
Victoria's expression changed.
“What does that mean?”
“It means every electronic device connected to your company is about to be examined.”
Julian's chair scraped backward.
“You can't do this.”
“I can.”
Then I put down the final piece.
The memory card.
Julian stared at it.
His face went white.
“You recorded us.”
I shook my head.
“You recorded yourselves.”
For the first time, Victoria lost control.
She shouted.
“This little nobody thinks she can destroy us?”
I stood.
“You already destroyed yourselves.”
Then my father entered.
Richard Hale's name was not mentioned.
Not yet.
Instead, Dad placed a folder on the table.
“Twenty-two years ago, you framed me.”
Victoria stared at him.
Her face changed.
Fear.
Real fear.
My father continued.
“You forgot one thing.”
“What?”
“You weren't the only person keeping records.”
I placed my phone on the table.
The police were already listening.
Victoria froze.
Then Julian whispered:
“Mom…”
She turned toward him.
And suddenly, he understood.
His mother had lied to him too.
But before anyone could speak, the front doors exploded open.
Richard Hale walked inside.
Alive.
Older.
And furious.
Everyone in the room turned toward him.
Victoria dropped her wineglass.
It shattered against the floor.
May you like
Richard looked directly at his wife.
“You told my son I was dead.”
