Chapter 4 - The Accusation
The midnight air inside Mercer Manor was freezing.
Ellie couldn't sleep. She sat on the edge of her small bed, watching Brinley sleep soundly. Jude’s words echoed relentlessly in her head: Julian never touched my money.
If Julian didn't steal the money, he wasn't running from the mafia. He was running from whoever framed him.
Ellie stood up, her jaw set with newfound determination. She stepped out into the quiet hallway, avoiding the squeaky floorboards. She needed proof. If there was a fake ledger, it was in the office.
She crept toward the east wing. The corridor was dark, illuminated only by the faint pale moonlight through the tall stained-glass windows.
As she reached the entrance of the study, she heard the sound of glass breaking inside.
Ellie flattened herself against the wall, peeking around the heavy frame.
Reggie Shaw was standing over Jude’s desk. He was frantically shoving papers into an open leather briefcase.
"Looking for this?"
A deep voice cut through the darkness.
Jude stepped out from the shadows near the balcony curtains, holding a lit glass tumbler of scotch. He looked completely composed, his dark eyes fixed on his enforcer.
Reggie froze, his hands staying inside the briefcase.
"Boss," Reggie said, forcing a calm tone. "I was just clearing out the old freight records like you asked."
"I didn't ask you to clear anything, Reggie," Jude said smoothly, taking a slow step forward. "Especially not the 2024 transport logs."
"There’s a discrepancy in the numbers, Jude," Reggie pushed back, stepping away from the desk. "I’m handling it."
"Like you handled Julian Carter?" Jude asked.
Reggie’s posture shifted immediately. His hand dropped inches closer to his side holster. "Julian was a thief. He took two million from the docks account and took off."
"Then why did I find a wire transfer receipt from a Swiss account registered in your brother's name?" Jude asked, his voice dead calm.
Reggie’s face turned stone cold.
"You’ve been sloppy, Reggie," Jude continued, tossing the silver cufflink onto the mahogany desk. It landed with a loud metallic click. "You dropped this outside my door while I was speaking to Julian’s wife."
Reggie smirked, dropping his diplomatic act entirely. "You’ve gotten soft, Jude. Ever since the fire four years ago, you sit in this house like a ghost. You don't run Providence anymore. I do."
Reggie pulled his gun.
Before he could raise the barrel, Jude moved with terrifying speed. He grabbed Reggie’s wrist, twisting it violently downward. The gun fired—a deafening BANG echoed through the room, shattering a decorative vase on the wall.
Ellie let out a muffled gasp, stepping back in terror.
Jude slammed Reggie onto the heavy desk, pinning his throat with one forearm. Reggie choked, his face turning red as he struggled against Jude’s insane physical strength.
"Where is Julian?" Jude growled, leaning in tight.
Reggie grinned through blood-stained teeth. "Ask the river, boss."
Jude’s eyes widened with dark fury. He raised his fist to strike—
"Stop!" Ellie screamed, stepping into the doorway.
Jude paused mid-air, his chest breathing heavily, his scar vivid against his pale skin. He looked at Ellie, then back down at Reggie.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Reggie kicked Jude’s knee hard, tearing himself free. He grabbed his briefcase, bolted toward the side balcony doors, and dove over the low stone railing into the dark gardens below.
Jude didn't chase him. He stood near the open balcony, the wind whipping his dark hair.
Ellie ran into the room, tears streaming down her face. "He killed him... Reggie killed Julian?"
Jude turned around slowly. He walked over to his desk, picking up a burnt piece of paper Reggie had tried to destroy in the ash tray.
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"No," Jude said quietly, looking at the charred paper. "Reggie didn't kill him. He delivered him."
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