Chapter 3: The Birthday Party That Became an Investigation
The following afternoon, the mansion hosted the little boy's sixth birthday party.
Luxury cars lined the driveway.
Business executives.
Politicians.
Investors.
Julian welcomed every guest with effortless confidence.
Halfway through his speech, the ballroom doors slowly opened.
Every conversation stopped.
Valeria walked inside wearing the same black funeral dress she had worn at her father's burial.
Silence swallowed the room.
Julian turned pale.
Impossible.
He staggered backward.
"You..."
His voice cracked.
"...you're alive."
Valeria smiled calmly.
"I certainly hope so."
The guests exchanged confused looks.
Isabella stared at Julian.
"What does she mean?"
Valeria stepped forward.
"Perhaps your husband should explain why he told everyone his legal wife was dead."
A wave of shocked whispers swept across the ballroom.
Julian tried to interrupt.
"She's mentally unstable—"
Marcus entered behind her.
"So is fraud."
Federal investigators followed him inside.
Two forensic accountants.
Three detectives.
A financial crimes prosecutor.
The lead investigator unfolded a warrant.
"Julian Vance..."
"...you are under investigation for corporate fraud, identity fraud, tax evasion, document forgery, and conspiracy."
The room erupted.
Isabella slowly stepped away from Julian.
"What have you done?"
May you like
For the first time...
Julian had no answer.
