Chapter 8 - THE PUPPET MASTER'S SHADOW
To completely destroy them,
I needed to meet the man pulling Madison's strings.
I arranged a meeting with Julian Croft,
using a mutual acquaintance to set up a private lunch at an exclusive country club.
Julian was waiting for me at a corner table,
looking every bit the ruthless billionaire he was reputed to be.
He stood as I approached,
his eyes scanning me with curiosity.
"Claire Whitaker,"
he said,
kissing the back of my hand.
"I must admit,
I was surprised to get your invitation."
"Why?"
I asked,
sitting down and placing my clutch on the table.
"Are you surprised that the wife of your enemy wants to speak with you?"
"Let's not play games,
Julian,"
I said,
leaning forward.
"I know about Vanguard Horizon."
"I know about the Swiss account."
"And I know about Madison."
Julian's smile faltered for a fraction of a second,
his eyes narrowing.
"I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about,"
he said smoothly,
taking a sip of his water.
"You do,"
I countered,
pulling out a copy of the Swiss bank documents Evelyn had secured.
"And so will the Securities and Exchange Commission,
if I send them these."
"Your name is on these accounts,
Julian."
"You're using my husband's embezzlement to fund your own company's expansion,
while preparing to buy out Whitaker Holdings for pennies on the dollar once Grant is ruined."
Julian stared at the documents,
his expression turning cold and calculating.
"You're very smart,
Claire,"
he said,
his voice losing its polite warmth.
"But what do you want?"
"If you expose Grant,
you ruin your own family's wealth."
"As his wife,
you'll lose everything too."
"I won't,"
I replied,
offering him a sweet,
deadly smile.
"Because I have a copy of the NDA Grant signed."
"And because I am the one who is going to expose him,
not as a victim,
but as the whistleblower."
"I will protect the assets that are rightfully mine,
while he goes to prison."
"But I am willing to leave you out of the investigation,
Julian."
"On one condition."
He looked at me,
intrigued.
"What condition?"
"I want you to cut Madison loose,"
I said.
"No more protection."
"No more money."
"And I want you to give me the proof that the baby she is carrying is yours,
not Grant's."
Julian chuckled,
a low,
appreciative sound.
"She really is a greedy little thing,
isn't she?"
he murmured.
"She told me the baby was mine,
and told Grant it was his,
hoping to get paid by both of us."
"I have the paternity test results right here,"
he said,
reaching into his jacket and pulling out a folded piece of paper.
"I had it done privately last week."
"She's carrying my child,
Claire."
"And I have no intention of letting her use my baby to blackmail your husband any longer."
He slid the paper across the table to me.
"We have a deal,
then?"
he asked.
"We have a deal,"
I said,
taking the paper and placing it in my bag.
"Thank you for your cooperation,
Julian."
"It was a pleasure doing business with you."
As I walked away,
I felt a wave of triumph.
I had the final piece of evidence.
Madison's lie was exposed,
and her protection was gone.
May you like
The chess board was set,
and it was time for checkmate.
