Chapter 6 - The Trap is Set
The next morning, Julian Vance arrived at my estate.
Standing six-foot-two with sharp, dark eyes, silver-streaked hair, and an air of quiet, effortless authority, Julian looked nothing like his brother. Where Santiago was frantic and flashy, Julian was calm, calculating, and intensely grounded.
He walked into my study, setting a sleek metallic briefcase onto the desk.
"Chloe," he said gently, taking my hand in a warm, respectful grip. His eyes drifted briefly to the faint pink mark on my lip, a shadow of pain passing through his face. "I am deeply sorry for what you went through. I knew my brother was self-absorbed, but I never imagined he would lay a hand on you."
"Thank you, Julian," I said, feeling an unexpected sense of comfort in his presence. "And thank you for coming."
Julian opened his laptop and connected it to my monitor. Within minutes, he laid out a side-by-side comparison of the fake extortion documents Nancy had emailed me versus the certified, original audited ledgers from my father’s estate.
"Look here," Julian pointed to the screen with a pen. "The font formatting on the fake offshore document uses a digital typeface that wasn't even created until 2018. Your father's ledger was created in 2011. Santiago was sloppy. He forged this in a hurry out of sheer panic."
Samantha, who was sitting beside us, clapped her hands together with satisfaction. "This is absolute gold. Not only can we destroy their extortion attempt, but we can also add Federal Mail Fraud and Extortion to the growing list of criminal charges against both Santiago and Nancy."
"Wait," I said, a dangerous idea taking shape in my mind. "If we just tell them we know it’s fake, they’ll panic and go into hiding. Nancy will destroy evidence. I don't just want them arrested, Samantha. I want them caught in the act, red-handed, so there is zero chance of a plea bargain."
Julian smirked, a sharp, admiring glint in his eyes. "You want to set a sting."
"Exactly," I said, leaning over the table. "Nancy demanded $5 million transferred by Friday. Let's tell her we are willing to negotiate a cash settlement, but only if she brings the 'original' physical files to a neutral location to sign a non-disclosure agreement."
"She’s greedy enough to bite," Julian agreed. "Nancy’s biggest weakness has always been her absolute belief that she is the smartest person in the room. She thinks you’re terrified of her."
"And Santiago?" Samantha asked. "He’s on a GPS monitor. He can't leave his designated zone."
"Oh, Santiago will break his bail conditions the moment he hears about five million dollars cash," Julian said with a cold laugh. "He won't be able to resist coming along to claim his share."
Over the next twenty-four hours, we coordinated with the District Attorney's office and the local police department. The trap was meticulously prepared.
I replied to Nancy’s extortion email, feigning desperation and terror:
Nancy, Please don't publish those documents. My father's memory is all I have left. I will pay the $5 million, but I require the original paper documents handed over in person, along with a signed release, so I know this is over. Let's meet tomorrow evening at 8:00 PM at the private dining room of the Grand Regency Hotel.
Within ten minutes, Nancy replied:
Smart girl. $5 million in certified cashier's checks. If you involve the police, the files go live on the internet immediately. We will see you at 8:00 PM.
Julian looked over my shoulder at the screen, his shoulder lightly brushing against mine. "She took the bait. Hook, line, and sinker."
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I looked up at Julian, meeting his dark eyes. For the past six years, I had been surrounded by men who viewed me either as a bank account or a timid trophy. Standing next to Julian, I felt something I hadn't felt in a long time—a sense of absolute security and mutual respect.
"Let's finish this," I whispered.
