Chapter 6 - VANESSA'S PRICE
At 3:07 a.m., Vanessa finally stopped smiling.
Julian was pacing inside a standard guest suite on the fourteenth floor.
Not the penthouse.
Security had denied him access.
Vanessa sat on the edge of the bed.
"What aren't you telling me?"
Julian ignored her.
"Julian."
"Not now."
She stood.
"You told me you owned Bellavue."
"I control Bellavue."
"Apparently you don't."
He turned sharply.
"Watch yourself."
Vanessa folded her arms.
"You promised me the penthouse."
"You'll get it."
"You promised me Paris."
"You'll get that too."
"You promised me Elena would be gone by the end of the month."
Julian stared at her.
"She will."
Vanessa touched the emerald pendant.
"And this?"
Julian's eyes dropped to it.
"What about it?"
"You said it was yours."
"It is."
Vanessa's expression changed.
"Elena texted me."
"What?"
"Earlier."
She showed him the message.
KEEP THE NECKLACE ON.
Julian went pale.
"Take it off."
Vanessa laughed.
"Why?"
"Take it off."
"Julian—"
"NOW."
His sudden shout startled her.
She unclasped the necklace.
"What is wrong with you?"
Julian snatched it from her hand.
"Nothing."
"That necklace belongs to Elena, doesn't it?"
Silence.
"Oh my God."
"Vanessa."
"You stole it?"
"I didn't steal anything."
"Then why are you panicking?"
Julian grabbed his jacket.
"I have a board meeting."
Vanessa stepped in front of the door.
"Answer me."
"Move."
"Do you actually own this company?"
Julian's jaw tightened.
"Move."
She didn't.
He leaned closer.
"Everything you have right now came from me."
Vanessa's expression hardened.
"No."
She pointed toward the door.
"Everything I have came from Bellavue expense accounts."
Julian froze.
Vanessa smiled bitterly.
"I saw the statements."
For the first time, Julian looked afraid of her.
"What statements?"
"The ones you left open on your laptop in Miami."
"You went through my computer?"
"You were cheating on your wife with me."
She laughed.
"Did you think I trusted you?"
Julian stared at her.
Vanessa continued.
"I know about Mercer International."
"Keep your voice down."
"I know about Preston Hale."
"Vanessa."
"And I know you planned to move the management contracts."
Julian stepped closer.
"Listen carefully."
"No."
She grabbed her purse.
"You listen."
Her voice dropped.
"You told me Elena was nobody."
Julian said nothing.
"You told me her family had old money but no control."
Still nothing.
Vanessa looked toward the Bellavue logo embossed on the stationery.
Then back at him.
"You lied to me too."
She walked toward the door.
Julian caught her wrist.
"Where are you going?"
Vanessa stared at his hand until he released her.
"To protect myself."
"If you say anything—"
"What?"
She stepped into the hallway.
"You'll throw me out of a hotel you apparently don't own?"
The door slammed behind her.
Julian stood alone.
Thirty seconds later, Vanessa pulled out her phone.
She searched for a number she had saved months earlier.
ELENA MERCER.
May you like
Her finger hovered over it.
Then she pressed call.
