Secrets and Old Debts
The rest of the evening was a blur. I managed to steer Emma and Sebastian towards a quieter corner of the reception, politely deflecting Carter and Tatiana’s attempts to engage. Sebastian, thankfully, seemed content to let Carter stew. “You seem…unfazed,” he observed, a wry smile playing on his lips. “After all these years, I thought seeing him would be harder.” I shrugged. “I anticipated this eventually. Boston is a small world, especially in finance. And Carter has a knack for seeking out the spotlight.” He chuckled. “He always did. Remember that disastrous merger he tried to push through at Winslow & Bell? Nearly bankrupted the firm.” I did. I’d spent weeks meticulously documenting his fraudulent accounting practices, saving my former colleagues from a scandal. It was part of the information on the encrypted drive. “I remember. He had a…unique approach to risk assessment.” Sebastian’s expression grew serious. “He owed a lot of people a lot of money after that. I helped him avoid jail, but it came at a price.” “A price?” “A significant one. He agreed to certain…constraints on his future dealings. He wasn’t supposed to engage in any high-risk ventures without my approval. And he certainly wasn’t supposed to be involved with anyone connected to my business interests.” He paused, looking pointedly at Carter, who was now openly glaring at us from across the room. “Tatiana’s father is a major investor in one of my portfolio companies. A company Carter was actively trying to undermine.” I felt a cold dread creep into my heart. This wasn’t just about an affair. This was about betrayal, manipulation, and a web of financial deceit. And Emma… Emma was right in the middle of it.
The Encrypted Drive & a Calculated Risk
“So, Emma…” I began, my voice barely a whisper. Sebastian nodded. “Carter doesn’t know she’s yours. He’s been leading Tatiana to believe she’s the biological mother. It’s…complicated.” Complicated didn’t even begin to cover it. Carter had not only stolen years of my life, he’d fabricated an entire reality for his daughter. The rage I’d suppressed for five years threatened to overwhelm me. “He’s always been a liar,” I said, my voice trembling. Sebastian placed a reassuring hand on my arm. “I’ve known for a while. I’ve been quietly investigating his activities. He’s been siphoning funds, inflating profits…the usual Carter Lowell special. I needed proof, though. Something concrete.” He looked at me directly. “That drive. The one you mentioned earlier. The encrypted financial records. Do you still have it?” My heart leaped. I’d kept it safe, hidden away in a safety deposit box. A last vestige of control in a life that had felt utterly out of control. “Yes. I do.” “It could be the key to everything. It could bring him down.” But handing it over to Sebastian felt like a significant risk. He was powerful, yes, but also…unpredictable. And Carter was ruthless. He wouldn’t hesitate to retaliate, especially if he suspected I was involved. But the thought of letting him continue to deceive Tatiana, to raise Emma under false pretenses, was unbearable. “I’ll do it,” I said, my voice firm. “But I need assurances. That Emma will be protected. And that Tatiana won’t be caught in the crossfire.” Sebastian’s eyes softened. “You have my word, Audrey. I’ll handle this with discretion. But we need to be careful. Carter is cornered. And a cornered animal is dangerous.” Just then, Carter began to make his way towards us, Tatiana trailing behind him like a shadow. He stopped a few feet away, his face flushed with anger. “What are you two discussing?”