Chapter 8
Adrian’s expression hardened.
“Those properties were burdened by debt. I salvaged what I could.”
“Without telling him?”
“Your father understood the arrangements.”
“My mother says he discovered the transfers and intended to expose you.”
“Your mother remembers a great deal for someone who was not present at every meeting.”
“She was present at enough.”
Adrian’s gaze shifted to Vivien.
“You were supposed to secure the ledger.”
Vivien lowered her eyes.
“I failed.”
“You were supposed to secure more than that.”
“I know.”
The quiet acknowledgment seemed to unsettle him more than defiance would have.
He turned toward me.
“Do you understand what you are holding? A collection of old notes and accusations written by a grieving man. Nothing more.”
“Then you won’t object to an independent attorney reviewing it.”
“I object to your making decisions based on family mythology.”
“I’m not making decisions yet.”
The truth was that I had not even opened the envelope.
My father’s handwriting pressed against my chest through the fabric of my jacket. For years, I had wanted a final explanation from him. Now that one might exist, I was afraid of what it would ask of me.
Adrian walked slowly toward the window.
“You have been surrounded by people who benefit from your distrust,” he said. “Vivien wants forgiveness. Your mother wants to erase her own mistakes. Your employee wants to prove his loyalty. Each of them has a reason to make me the villain.”
“And you have no reason to defend yourself?”
“I have spent twelve years defending myself.”
“Then you should welcome the chance to present your records.”
He glanced at me.
“What records?”
“The accounts. The property transfers. The companies you used. Everything.”
A faint smile touched his lips.
“You believe documents tell the truth.”
“They tell a version of it.”
“And what do you intend to do with this version?”
“I intend to learn what happened before deciding what happens next.”
That answer seemed to take some of the air from the room. Even Rocco looked at me differently.
Adrian studied me for a long moment.
“You are your father’s son.”
“I’m trying to be better than he was.”
Something passed over Adrian’s face—regret, perhaps, or irritation at being reminded of a man he had once served.
Vivien stepped forward.
“You said you would tell me where the rest of the records were.”
Adrian’s attention shifted to her.
“I said I would tell you if you completed your part.”
“I completed more than enough.”
“You were engaged to Lorenzo. You had access to the house. You could have found the ledger.”
“I searched for it because you insisted.”
“And you accepted my money.”
“For my mother’s treatment.”
“Did you return it?”
Vivien’s face went pale.
“No.”
“Then you remain bound by the agreement.”
I felt something cold settle beneath my anger.
“Leave her out of this.”
Adrian looked at me.
“She chose to involve herself.”
“She also told me the truth.”
“Only after she realized you had found the ledger.”
“That isn’t your concern.”
“It is precisely my concern. Without the ledger, you have no case. Without my cooperation, you have no way to understand what it contains.”
I removed the envelope from my jacket.
Adrian’s gaze fixed on it.
“This is my father’s final message,” I said. “You may explain your side after my attorney has reviewed it.”
May you like
“You think an attorney will save you?”
“No. I think evidence is more reliable than fear.”
