Chapter 4 - THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN
Lucien arrived with two security professionals and a woman in a charcoal coat.
The woman introduced herself as Detective Elena Ruiz.
She was not impressed by Lucien.
That made Evelyn like her immediately.
Ruiz examined the documents and took a statement.
She asked about Adrian.
About the laptop.
About the anonymous call.
Then she asked:
“Did you knowingly allow anyone to use your business systems for shipping operations?”
“No.”
“Did you receive payment for these documents?”
“No.”
“Have you seen them before today?”
“No.”
Ruiz studied her.
Then nodded.
“We'll need forensic copies.”
Evelyn agreed.
Lucien remained near the window.
He looked furious.
Not loud.
Not theatrical.
Just frighteningly still.
After Ruiz left, Evelyn turned toward him.
“Tell me what Mercury is.”
Lucien hesitated.
Then said:
“An operation someone has been running through my commercial properties.”
Evelyn stared.
“What kind of operation?”
“Unauthorized shipments. Fraudulent invoices. Bribes.”
“Your properties?”
“Yes.”
“And you didn't know?”
His expression hardened.
“I suspected something. I didn't know how extensive it was.”
Evelyn folded her arms.
“Why would Adrian be involved?”
Lucien looked away.
“Because he works for a company that has been trying to acquire control of my waterfront assets.”
Evelyn stared.
Adrian was a senior executive at Crosswell Capital.
He had told her his work involved infrastructure investments.
He'd never mentioned Moretti Holdings.
Lucien continued.
“Someone has been using your event contracts as cover for access to buildings and staff.”
Her stomach dropped.
“That's impossible.”
“Is it?”
She thought about the gala.
The catering staff.
The service elevators.
The security badges.
Every event she planned required temporary access credentials.
Vendor schedules.
Loading docks.
Backstage corridors.
She felt sick.
“Oh my God.”
Lucien stepped closer.
“Evelyn.”
She shook her head.
“They used my company.”
He didn't deny it.
She covered her mouth.
“People trusted me.”
Lucien's voice softened.
“You didn't know.”
“That doesn't change what happened.”
“No.”
She looked at him.
“Then help me stop it.”
He stared.
“You understand this could be dangerous?”
Evelyn lifted her chin.
“I understand that someone used my work to hurt people.”
Lucien studied her.
Then nodded.
“Then we do it properly.”
“What does that mean?”
“Evidence. Lawyers. Authorities. No shortcuts.”
She looked surprised.
He noticed.
“What?”
“I expected something more… mafia.”
His mouth twitched.
“I've spent years trying to become less predictable.”
For the first time, Evelyn saw a different man beneath the reputation.
Not innocent.
May you like
Not harmless.
But perhaps capable of choosing something better.
