Chapter 65 A Man Named Conrad
Vincent pulled up beside a standard one-story building tucked between two that looked like it. The exterior looked like it was recently renewed. He and Julian had just dropped Sheila off at the airport, and Julian had told him they had to be somewhere else.
He drummed his fingers lightly against the steering wheel, glancing toward the entrance before flicking his gaze to Julian who had been silent beside him but had led them here with a google map.
“He’s taking quite a while,” Vincent said, brows knitting slightly.
Julian rested one arm along the door, his gaze fixed on the building like he could miss something important if he looked away for once. “He will come out soon,” he replied, voice even and unhurried.
“But…who are we here to meet?” Vincent asked.
Right on cue, the metal door creaked open.
A bulky man, clad in brown suits stepped out, adjusting his spectacles as he scanned the house surroundings cautiously.
Julian’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smirk as he answered Vincent. “A man named Conrad.”
He alighted from the car with quiet authority, shutting the door with a controlled click before walking toward the man. Vincent remained inside, watching through the windshield with narrowed, attentive eyes.
The man straightened when Julian approached, attempting to compose himself.
“Mr. Zenith, right?” he asked, forcing a polite smile.
Julian gave a small nod. “And you must be Lawyer Conrad. The one I’ve been speaking with on the phone.”
Lawyer Conrad’s face brightened instantly, though the eagerness in it felt slightly forced.
“It is truly my pleasure to have someone as important as you here,” he said quickly, clasping his hands together. “I have heard quite a lot about you. I look forward to working on any case you might have. I am well known for my civil and fair judgments.”
Julian’s jaw clenched for a fraction of a second.
Civil. Fair.
The irony pressed against his chest like a dull dagger.
But his expression remained calm.
Instead, he tucked his hands into his suit pockets and inhaled slowly.
“Actually,” Julian started, his voice lowering just slightly, “I am here for another purpose.”
Conrad’s smile faltered, curiosity replacing the rehearsed enthusiasm.
“Please, go ahead.”
Julian tilted his head slightly, studying him.
“Are you familiar with the late Richard Moreau?”
The effect was immediate.
Conrad’s bold facial expression faltered at the mention of that name.
Julian noticed.
“Oh…” Conrad exhaled, adjusting his glasses. “Richard Moreau. Yes. That was a very good man. I used to work with him in the past. It was truly unfortunate… what happened to him. His wife killing him and then taking her own life after the arrest. A very sad story that blackened the united state at large back then.”
Julian hummed softly, feeling a sharp wave of guilt coursed through him, because deep inside, he knew exactly what had killed Richard Moreau.
And it was not Seraphina’s mother like the media claimed.
But guilt was a luxury he had no room for today.
“I would have loved to speak more about the late Richard and his good deeds.” Julian said, paused, then continued.
“But my concern today is entirely different.”
Conrad frowned slightly. “Okay…I’m listening to you.”
Julian’s gaze sharpened.
“I am Richard’s daughter’s husband.”
A beat passed, then he added, “she’s also known as Seraphina Moreau.”
Lawyer Conrad tensed visibly this time.
Julian leaned slightly closer, his voice quieter.
“Does the name ring a bell, Sir Conrad Wellington?”
Conrad swallowed. His throat bobbed. His fingers tightened against his briefcase.
“I… cannot really remember her,” he said, avoiding eye contact.
Julian clicked his tongue softly.
“Interesting.” His smirk returned, but colder now.
“How does a lawyer forget the daughter he deprived of her father’s wealth?”
A silence that felt suffocating fell between them. The hot tension carried by Conrad.
Julian slowly reached into his inner coat and pulled out a file. He opened it unhurriedly and held the document up to his face.
“This is the original will prepared by you and the late Richard. The will you changed over time.”
Conrad blinked.
“I—I don’t know what you are talking about,” He stammered, stepping back. “You should leave. I know nothing about this will.”
Julian’s smirk tightened. Anger brewed silently beneath his composure, controlled but there
Without a word, he opened his coat slightly. Just enough for Conrad to see. And he did.
The cold metallic glimpse of the gun at his waist flashed into Conrad’s view. The lawyer’s entire frame trembled.
His breath hitched.
“W-What do you want?” he asked, voice shaking uncontrollably.
Julian shrugged lightly, as though the request were insignificant.
“It is simple.”
He stepped closer. Each step measured, oozing power and confidence that couldn’t be compete with.
“I need you to come forward and tell the world the truth about the will. I want my wife to get back what’s hers. That’s all.”
Conrad shook his head rapidly. “That will implicate me! Do you understand what you are asking? My career…my reputation…everything will be destroyed!”
“I have your back,” Julian said calmly. “If you confess, I will ensure your protection.”
Conrad’s breathing grew uneven.
“And you should not worry,” Julian continued, voice smooth yet threatening. “Once the truth is public, if anything happens to you, the world will know exactly who to face. Those people care too much about their image to risk that kind of exposure.”
Conrad’s shoulders slumped.
Defeat crept into his posture.
He sighed deeply, voice barely above a whisper.
“Sheryl Moreau, Richard’s second wife…she paid me… a lot of money to switch the will,” he confessed. “If the truth comes out, the world will cancel me.”
Julian snorted softly.
“Then you will face the consequences of your actions.”
He stepped even closer, his presence now overwhelming, suffocating.
“You see, Conrad…The person you should fear,” Julian added quietly, his voice dropping intimidatingly lower, “is the one standing in front of you if you choose not to yield.”
A cold chill visibly ran down Conrad’s spine. He knew Julian wasn’t bluffing. Every word came out of his lips like he didn’t need to practice them. He could sense the truths behind his words right from where he was standing. His presence was undeniably powerful and he wasn’t ready to fight that.
“When… should I surface?” he asked weakly.
Julian straightened his coat.
“I will let you know.”
He held Conrad’s gaze steadily.
“And if you dare run away,” he finished, voice calm yet lethal, “be rest assured that I will find you.”
Then he added like a playful tease, “And I’m well aware that this place isn’t your real house, Conrad.”
Lawyer Conrad swallowed heavily.
—
Seraphina exhaled softly as she placed the plate on the dining table.
The kitchen still carried the warm scent of the meal she had cooked by herself. It felt oddly grounding- doing something ordinary after everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours.
She had eaten quietly. Alone.
Her phone call with Sheila earlier replayed in her mind.
Sheila had sounded… dull.
Not her usual lively self. Not teasing. Not chatty.
Seraphina frowned slightly as she returned to her room, sitting on the edge of her bed now.
Did Julian say something to her at the airport?
Her fingers twisted slightly into the bedsheet.
Her thoughts started flying around.
Her mind went to Joye. What she had seen was still a shock to her. And what bothered her was that she was confused. She had been wondering if she should inform Julian or just keep it to herself.
She exhaled slowly.
No.
Julian could be so strict and unpredictable. He could fire Joye instantly.
And she liked Joye.
A lot.
Yet, the thought of choosing not to let Julian know about Joye and Vincent made her stomach twist.
Was she… betraying Julian by keeping quiet?
She sank deeper into the mattress, staring at the beautiful rare ceiling design.
‘Is this how far gone I am into Julian?’ she wondered silently. Beacuse why did she feel like she was betraying him instead of focusing on why she was here…
A knock sounded at her door.
She blinked, snapping out of her thoughts, and walked over before opening it.
Joye stood there, smiling brightly.
Seraphina forced a smile in return.
“Good morning. Can I come in, ma’am?” Joye asked politely.
Seraphina nodded and stepped aside.
Joye entered with her usual cheerful demeanor, clasping her hands lightly, oblivious to what Seraphina already knew about her.
“You look more refreshing this morning,” Joye said warmly, her eyes scanning Seraphina’s face. “It must be the ‘new bride’ glow effect.”
Seraphina let out a small, controlled smile.
“Thank you.”
Joye beamed.
“I came to check if you have maybe changed your mind about attending to your needs today,” she added gently.
Seraphina went silent, eyes narrowing at Joye. Then she spoke slowly.
“Actually… I came to check on you this morning.”
Joye’s smile froze instantly.
“I wanted you to make me breakfast,” Sera continued calmly. “But when I got to your room…”
She paused.
“I saw that you were… busy.”
Joye tensed immediately.
Her fingers clenched slightly. Her eyes widened for a fraction of a second before she lowered her head.
She remembered waking up and realizing her door hadn’t been locked. She didn’t need Seraphina to say it outrightly that she had seen her and Vincent together. Her chest immediately felt heavy.
Seraphina’s face straightened, her tone neither harsh nor soft.
“Next time, lock your door,” she said quietly. “Be careful with such around here. And I will pretend I never saw that.”
Joye swallowed hard, relief flooding her features at how Seraphina was taking the matter.
She bowed quickly. “Thank you, ma’am. Thank you so much.”
And just then- The door opened.
Julian stepped in silently, his presence instantly altering the atmosphere in the room.
Seraphina flinched. She must have been carried away while talking to Joye because she hadn’t hear his footsteps.
Julian’s eyes moved slowly from Joye to Seraphina.
Then he spoke calmly like he was just asking what was for breakfast, “What will you pretend you never saw?”
Seraphina tensed.
Joye froze completely.