Chapter 3 - The Trap Closes
Morgan’s breath hitched in her throat. She stared at the forged signatures, the sheer scale of Julian’s betrayal washing over her in suffocating waves. He wasn't just trying to steal her inheritance; he was methodically planning her murder to collect a payout large enough to wipe out all his gambling debts and failed investments.
With trembling fingers, she pulled out her phone and snapped high-resolution photos of every single document in the folder.
Suddenly, the front door clicked open.
“Morgan?” Julian’s voice echoed from the hallway. “Did you forget something?”
Panic seized her. The filing cabinet was still wide open. She slammed the heavy drawer shut, shoved the phone into her pocket, and spun around just as Julian appeared in the doorway of the study.
His warm, easygoing facade was gone. His eyes were cold, calculating, and fixed entirely on the closed metal cabinet.
“What are you doing here, honey?” Julian asked, his voice dangerously soft as he took a slow step into the room. “I thought you had a big audit at the office today.”
Morgan forced her posture to remain upright, channeling every ounce of courage she possessed. “I forgot my laptop charger. And more importantly, Julian, I found your folder.”
Julian didn't flinch. Instead, a chilling, humorless smile spread across his lips. He leaned against the doorframe, blocking her only exit.
“You shouldn't have been snooping, Morgan. It’s a bad habit,” he said smoothly, stepping closer. “You were supposed to just wear the necklace. It would have saved us both a lot of unpleasant paperwork.”
“You were going to kill me?” Morgan whispered, her voice trembling not with fear, but with rising fury. “For a cottage? For insurance money?”
“It’s business, Morgan. You’ve always been too sentimental. That cottage can clear every debt I have and give me a fresh start in Miami. But you refused to sell. You left me no choice.”
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Julian lunged forward with surprising speed, grabbing for her arms. But Morgan was ready. Adrenaline flooded her veins. She sidestepped sharply, grabbed a heavy brass paperweight off the desk, and slammed it down onto Julian’s shoulder, buying herself precious seconds.
She bolted past him, sprinting down the hallway, bursting through the front apartment door, and slamming it shut behind her. She heard Julian roaring with rage inside as she sprinted down the stairs toward her car.
