Chapter 1 - The Uninvited Guest
I looked toward the grand mahogany double doors just as a man in a tailored charcoal suit stepped into the foyer.
He brushed the snow from his shoulders with calm, deliberate movements.
His name was Julian.
He was a former federal investigator turned private intelligence contractor, and I had hired him exactly four hours ago.
Matthias stared at the handsome stranger walking toward us.
"Who the hell is that?" my husband demanded, his perfect facade cracking just a fraction.
"My plus one," I replied smoothly.
Julian reached us and offered Matthias a firm, unyielding handshake.
"Julian Vance," he introduced himself, locking eyes with my husband.
"Serena and I go way back, and she mentioned you were closing the Hensley acquisition tonight."
Matthias glanced nervously at Fiona, who was suddenly gripping her champagne flute very tightly.
"This is a private family event," Matthias said coldly.
"I completely understand," Julian smiled, leaning in slightly.
"But I thought you might want to know that the SEC is currently looking into the offshore accounts you opened in the Cayman Islands last Tuesday."
All the color instantly drained from Matthias's face.
He looked around the crowded room, terrified that his wealthy parents or investors had overheard.
"Excuse me," Matthias muttered, grabbing Fiona by the arm and dragging her toward his father's private study.
I watched them leave, feeling a dark sense of satisfaction.
"You did well," I told Julian quietly.
Julian did not smile back at me.
He stepped closer, pretending to admire the enormous Christmas tree.
"We have a massive problem, Serena," he whispered, his voice completely devoid of its previous charm.
"What did you find?" I asked, my heart accelerating.
"I tracked the IP address of the person who sent that threatening document to your lawyer," he explained.
He subtly handed me a folded piece of paper.
"The sender wasn't a disgruntled employee or a jealous mistress."
I unfolded the paper and stared at the digital footprint report.
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"The threat came from inside this exact house," Julian said.
Before I could even process the horror of his words, the heavy steel security shutters suddenly slammed down over every single window in the ballroom.
