Chapter 4 - THE MAN WHO SMILED TOO EASILY
Julian Vale was waiting in the main salon when I returned.
He stood beside the grand piano, holding a glass of sparkling water.
His expression was sympathetic.
"Elena."
I stopped several feet away.
"Julian."
He looked at my dress.
"I'm sorry about Cassandra."
"Are you?"
He frowned.
"Of course."
"Then why didn't you stop her?"
His smile weakened.
"I tried."
"You said her name once."
"She doesn't listen to me."
I studied him.
Julian had always been charming.
Unlike Cassandra, he rarely insulted people openly.
He remembered birthdays.
Sent flowers.
Asked thoughtful questions.
And somehow always seemed to know more than he should.
"Julian," I said, "why did you request access to the crew passage?"
His face changed.
Only slightly.
But I saw it.
"What?"
"Your contractor credential."
He laughed.
"That's ridiculous."
"Then you won't mind explaining it to the authorities."
His smile disappeared.
"Elena, you're making a mistake."
I felt my father's warning echo inside me.
Power is easiest to misuse when you're angry.
I kept my voice steady.
"Then help me correct it."
Julian stepped closer.
"Your father trusted my family."
"My father investigated your family."
Silence.
His eyes narrowed.
"Who told you that?"
I didn't answer.
Julian glanced toward the corridor.
Then leaned closer.
"You have no idea what you're getting involved in."
I held his gaze.
"Then perhaps you should explain it."
His expression hardened.
Instead, he walked away.
Ten minutes later, Adrien received an update from the yacht's security team.
A camera in the crew passage had captured Julian entering the restricted corridor at 10:39 p.m.
He remained inside for nine minutes.
When he emerged, he carried a small black case.
I watched the footage twice.
Then a third time.
Julian's face was clearly visible.
So was the case.
Adrien looked at me.
"Shall I contact the harbor police?"
"Yes."
I paused.
"And ask them to preserve the original recording."
He nodded.
Then I looked at the screen again.
Julian wasn't alone.
At the far end of the corridor stood a woman in a silver dress.
Cassandra.
May you like
She had been watching the door.
And suddenly, the champagne incident looked very different.
