Chapter 11 - THE DAUGHTER WHO FINALLY TOLD THE TRUTH
Cassandra contacted me three days later.
Her message was short.
I need to talk.
I considered ignoring it.
Then I remembered something.
She had been watching Julian near the crew passage.
And she might know why.
We met in a private conference room at my attorney's office.
Cassandra arrived without makeup.
Her hair was tied back.
She looked younger.
And frightened.
I sat opposite her.
"Why are you here?"
She swallowed.
"Because my father told me to lie."
I said nothing.
She continued.
"Julian asked me to keep you occupied on the upper deck."
"I know."
Her eyes widened.
"You do?"
"Security footage."
She looked down.
Then whispered:
"I didn't know he was stealing from the safe."
I studied her.
"Why did you attack me?"
Tears filled her eyes.
"Because I was angry."
I waited.
She continued.
"Julian told me you were planning to embarrass our family."
"So you embarrassed me first."
She nodded.
"I'm sorry."
I looked at her.
"An apology doesn't erase what happened."
"I know."
"People watched you tear my dress."
Her voice broke.
"I know."
I took a breath.
"Then tell me why you're really here."
Cassandra reached into her bag.
She placed a small memory card on the table.
My heart began racing.
"What is that?"
She swallowed.
"A recording."
"Of what?"
She looked at me.
"My father and Julian arguing."
I went still.
Cassandra continued.
"It happened the night before the yacht party."
I stared at the card.
May you like
Then she whispered:
"My father told Julian that if the archive came out, everything would collapse."
