Chapter 6 - The Interrogation of Blood
Julian was shoved into the grand study, the heavy oak doors slamming shut behind him. He stumbled, catching himself on the edge of the leather sofa. Silas was sitting behind his mahogany desk, casually swirling the amber liquid in his crystal glass. The fireplace cast long, menacing shadows across the room.
"Silas, what is the meaning of this?" Julian demanded, straightening his suit. "You pull me out of an airport with armed thugs? I'm your brother!"
"Are you?" Silas asked softly, taking a slow sip of his bourbon. He stood up, pacing around the desk. "I’ve been thinking a lot about family today, Julian. About loyalty. About the things we do to protect the ones we love."
Silas stopped in front of Julian. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small, encrypted USB drive, tossing it onto the glass coffee table. It landed with a sharp clack.
Julian stared at it, the color draining entirely from his face.
"I know," Silas said, his voice dropping to a terrifying, deadly whisper. "I know about the offshore accounts. I know about the ledgers. And I know about the bridge."
Julian’s eyes darted toward the door, calculating an escape route that didn't exist. "Silas, you have to listen to me. It was Dad's idea! He orchestrated it from inside the prison! Clara found the books, she was going to ruin everything we built!"
"So you drowned her," Silas stated, stepping closer, his imposing figure towering over his brother.
"No! She survived!" Julian cried out, panic entirely consuming his aristocratic facade. "I kept her alive, Silas! I swear! We were just keeping her contained until we could figure out a way to smooth things over!"
Silas’s fist moved faster than Julian could register. The blow shattered Julian’s jaw, sending him crashing backward over the sofa. Julian screamed, spitting blood onto the Persian rug.
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Silas didn't stop. He grabbed Julian by the lapels, hauling him back to his feet, his eyes burning with absolute, uncontrollable fury. "Where is she, Julian? Where is my wife?"
"She’s dead!" Julian choked out, crying. "She hemorrhaged after the baby was born! The nurse smuggled the kid out before my men could stop her. Clara is gone, Silas! I swear to God!"
