Chapter 7 – THE THERAPY TAPE

The dining room descended into chaos.

Arthur Wynn’s private security contractors nervously stepped back, their hands dropping away from their weapons. Nobody wanted a shootout with the FBI on live television.

“Victor, what did you do?” Julian asked, his voice low.

“I spent the last eighteen months gathering the evidence,” Victor said, his eyes fixed on Arthur. “Every shell company. Every wire transfer. Every bribe to that mechanic. I didn’t come here tonight to take Theo away from you, Julian. I came here to trap them.”

Celeste began to hyperventilate. “Daddy, do something!”

Arthur pulled out his phone, his fingers flying across the screen. “I’m calling the commissioner. This is a misunderstanding.”

“The commissioner is already in custody,” Victor said coldly. “He was on your payroll, too.”

The dining room doors swung open for the third time that night.

Federal agents poured in, their badges flashing under the chandeliers.

“Arthur Wynn,” the lead agent said, stepping forward. “You and your daughter are under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder, wire fraud, and racketeering.”

Arthur dropped his phone.

Celeste screamed as an agent cuffed her hands behind her back. “Julian, please! We were going to be a family!”

Julian looked at her, his expression utterly devoid of pity.

“You destroyed my family,” Julian said. “Take her out of my house.”

As Celeste was dragged away, sobbing and kicking in her red silk gown, the lead FBI agent turned to Dr. Morris, who was still cowering near the study door.

“Lena Morris?” the agent asked.

“I—I cooperated!” Dr. Morris stammered, raising her hands. “I gave you the tapes!”

I frowned. “What tapes?”

Victor reached into his pocket and pulled out a small digital recorder.

“Dr. Morris isn’t just Theo’s therapist,” Victor explained to Julian. “She was Rachel’s therapist, too. Rachel recorded her sessions. And in her final session, the day she died, Rachel explicitly stated that Celeste had threatened her life over the foundation money.”

Julian looked at Dr. Morris with absolute disgust. “You had proof my wife was murdered, and you hid it to fund a clinic.”

“I was scared!” she cried as the agents cuffed her as well.

The room slowly emptied of the villains who had poisoned it. The forty guests, pale and silent, were escorted out by the authorities to give statements.

Finally, it was just the four of us left in the massive dining room.

Julian, Victor, Theo, and me.

Julian stood motionless, staring at the spot where Celeste had just been standing. The nightmare of the last eighteen months was over, but the reality of the betrayal was still settling in.

Victor walked over to Julian.

For five years, these two men had despised each other.

Julian reached out his hand.

Victor looked at it, then bypassed the hand and pulled Julian into a brief, fierce embrace.

“I’m sorry I blamed you,” Victor whispered.

“I’m sorry I didn’t protect her,” Julian replied, his voice breaking.

Theo let go of my apron and ran toward them.

Julian dropped to his knees, catching his son in a tight hug. Victor placed a hand on the boy’s head.

I stood back, wiping a tear from my cheek. My job was done. Theo was safe. The truth was out.

I quietly turned to leave, heading toward the kitchen to pack my own bags. After all, I had been fired tonight.

“Alma.”

Julian’s voice stopped me in my tracks.

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