Chapter 4 - THE PACK TURNS
The signing of the divorce papers was only the beginning of the Vance family’s implosion. When money disappears, loyalty usually follows right behind it. By the end of the week, the beautiful, unified front they had maintained while mocking me had completely shattered into a vicious civil war.
I had moved Emma into a beautiful, secure penthouse apartment in the upscale Short North district of Columbus. It was a place with twenty-four-hour security, breathtaking views of the city, and a massive kitchen where she could finally bake without her stepmother complaining about the mess.
On Friday evening, my phone rang. It was an unrecognized number. I answered it on speaker while helping Emma prepare a homemade lasagna.
"Ryan? Is this Ryan?" The voice was frantic, breathless, and completely broken. It was Julian’s wife, Sarah.
"Sarah," I said calmly. "What can I do for you?"
"Ryan, please, you have to help me," she sobbed into the phone. "The police were just at our house. They towed the BMW, and they told Julian that he’s under investigation for grand larceny. Julian is out of his mind! He’s downstairs screaming at his father, blaming Harold for everything! They're physically fighting in the living room, Ryan!"
I exchanged a look with Emma, who stopped grating the cheese and listened quietly.
"Why are they fighting, Sarah?" I asked.
"Because Julian found out that Harold took out that corporate credit line and used it entirely for his own lake house, but he forced Julian and Christian to sign as the 'operating directors' of the sub-branch!" Sarah shrieked. "Harold set his own sons up to take the fall if the company ever found out! They're destroying each other, Ryan! The whole family is tearing itself apart. Olivia is staying at a cheap motel because her credit cards are canceled, and she’s blaming her father for ruining her marriage to a multimillionaire!"
"They brought this on themselves, Sarah," I said, my voice steady. "They spent nine years treating me like garbage while stealing from my company. Did you know about the fraudulent contracts Julian was signing?"
The line went quiet for a moment. Sarah swallowed hard. "I... I knew he was getting extra money, Ryan. But he told me it was just 'bonuses' approved by the board! I didn't know he was stealing from you. Please, Ryan, I have two small kids. Don't let my children lose their home because of their father's stupidity. I'll tell your lawyers everything. I'll testify against Harold. I'll give you every document Julian kept in his private safe upstairs!"
I leaned against the kitchen counter, realizing how quickly the pack turns when the food supply is cut off. "All right, Sarah. Here is what you're going to do. Tomorrow morning at nine, you walk into Marcus Vance’s office. You bring every single document, every thumb drive, and every record in that safe. If your cooperation proves that Harold was the mastermind, my legal team will request leniency for Julian from the District Attorney. But if you hide even one receipt, I will ensure Julian gets the maximum sentence."
"Thank you, Ryan! Thank you so much!" she cried before hanging up.
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Emma looked up at me, a soft, small smile finally appearing on her face. "It’s amazing how fast they turn into monsters when they aren't drinking their expensive wine anymore."
"They were always monsters, Emma," I said, reaching over to pull her into a tight embrace. "They just had the money to camouflage it. But the winter always strips away the leaves, and now everyone sees them for what they really are."
