Chapter 8 - The Cost of Pretending
By seven o’clock, the ballroom was empty.
Bianca stood near the entrance surrounded by flower arrangements that had already been scheduled for removal. Vanessa argued with the hotel staff about the canceled suites.
Julian found Claire in the quiet service hallway.
“How could you do this to me?”
Claire turned.
“To you?”
“You humiliated me in front of everyone.”
“I paid for the people who humiliated me.”
“You could have spoken to me privately.”
“The same way you privately forged my signature?”
Julian’s jaw tightened.
“I was borrowing against my share.”
“You used company assets. You used my authorization.”
“I was going to repay everything after the wedding.”
“How would getting married create money?”
Julian looked away.
That was when Claire understood.
“You expected Bianca’s family to invest.”
Julian said nothing.
Claire continued.
“And Bianca expected our company to pay her family’s debts.”
Vanessa’s consulting firm had received tens of thousands from the false event companies. The money had not funded the party. It had covered overdue loans on a failed boutique business.
Julian finally admitted the truth.
Bianca believed the Bennett company was worth far more than it was. Julian had allowed her to believe he controlled it.
“She would not have married me if she knew I only owned twenty percent,” he said.
Claire stared at him.
“So you stole from the company to convince her you were wealthy.”
“I did it for our future.”
“No. You did it because you wanted to be admired.”
Julian’s face collapsed.
“I’m your brother.”
“You remembered that whenever you needed money.”
Bianca appeared at the end of the hallway.
“You only own twenty percent?”
Julian turned toward her.
“It’s complicated.”
“You said Claire worked for you.”
Claire almost felt sorry for him.
Almost.
Bianca removed her engagement ring and held it out.
“You lied to me.”
Julian did not take it.
“You threw wine on my sister.”
“Because you said she was trying to destroy us.”
Claire picked up her coat.
“You did not need my help destroying each other.”
May you like
She walked toward the exit.
Behind her, Bianca dropped the ring onto the carpet.
