Chapter 6 - THE CONVERSATION WITHOUT WITNESSES
Seline agreed to meet at a private art gallery.
Vivien arrived first.
The room contained six paintings, a marble bench, and a security camera visible above the entrance.
She had chosen the location deliberately.
Seline entered wearing a cream coat.
The Donna necklace rested against her throat.
Vivien noticed it.
Seline noticed her noticing.
"Do you want it back?"
"Eventually."
Seline smiled.
"You don't seem angry."
"I am."
"Then why are you so calm?"
Vivien considered.
"Because anger isn't the only thing I have."
Seline looked away.
For several moments, neither spoke.
Then Vivien placed Bernard Kessler's photograph on the bench.
Seline's face changed.
"Where did you get that?"
"Does it matter?"
Seline swallowed.
Vivien sat.
"Tell me about him."
"He's an investor."
"He's a thief."
Seline stared.
Vivien continued.
"He tried to steal from my foundation twelve years ago. Now he's connected to companies receiving its money."
Seline's composure began to crack.
"I didn't know what the money was for."
Vivien watched her.
"Which money?"
Seline closed her eyes.
The silence answered more than any confession could.
Vivien waited.
Finally, Seline whispered, "He told me the foundation was a cover."
"For what?"
"Political payments. Family obligations. Things Damian didn't want traced."
Vivien felt cold.
"And you believed him?"
Seline looked at her.
"I believed Damian."
Vivien said nothing.
Seline's eyes filled.
"He told me you were a figurehead. That you didn't understand the business."
Vivien almost laughed.
Instead, she asked, "What did Kessler promise you?"
Seline hesitated.
"A percentage of the restructuring."
"How much?"
"Eight million."
Vivien stared.
"And the necklace?"
Seline touched the dark stone.
"Damian said wearing it would prove the council recognized me."
Vivien shook her head.
"He lied."
Seline began crying.
For the first time, she looked less like a triumphant mistress and more like a woman realizing she'd been used.
Vivien stood.
"You need an attorney."
Seline looked up.
"Are you threatening me?"
"No."
May you like
Vivien picked up her coat.
"I'm telling you that the people who promised to protect you may be the people most willing to sacrifice you."
