“Yes,” Marcus replied. “And one payment was routed through a subcontractor in Nevada. That subcontractor is linked to a company Andrew registered under his aide’s address.”
Something cold sharpened inside her.
“So this is not just an affair.”
“No,” Marcus said. “It is fraud, procurement abuse, and possibly misuse of influence. I already sent the preliminary file to outside counsel. Julian wants him destroyed publicly. I told him to wait.”
“Good.”
Marcus hesitated.
“Liv, I have to ask. Did you know any of this?”
“No.”
“I believe you.”
That nearly broke her.
Not Andrew’s betrayal.
Not Serena laughing behind the glass.
Not the pity in the guard’s eyes.
Her brother’s trust almost did.
She looked back at Ethan. He was awake now, sitting quietly and watching her.
“Mom,” he whispered, “does Dad have another family?”
Olivia turned toward him completely. She climbed into the back seat, wrapped her arms around him, and held him until his trembling eased.
“No,” she said. “He has made a terrible mess. But you are not the mess. You are my son. You are loved. That part does not change.”
Ethan pressed his face against her coat.
“Did I do something?”
“No. Never.”
At 8:22 p.m., Andrew finally sent a message.
Come home. We need to talk before your family ruins everything.
Olivia read it once and forwarded it to Marcus.
His response arrived quickly.
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