Part 5: The Serpent’s Coil
Julian Valmont was not a man to go down without a fight. Sensing the walls closing in, he stopped hiding. He appeared at the Valmont estate uninvited, his presence like a stain on the pristine marble.
Alejandro met him in the conservatory. The air was thick with the scent of blooming jasmine—a cruel reminder of what they had lost. Julian walked with a jaunty, arrogant stride, his gaze sweeping over the opulent house as if he were already measuring it for his own collection.
"Brother," Julian said, his voice dripping with false warmth. "I heard you had a domestic crisis. A missing wife returned, a scandal that brought the Laurents to their knees. Truly, you’ve been busy."
Alejandro didn't stand. He remained seated, his eyes cold as glaciers. "You’re a long way from your office, Julian."
Julian chuckled, walking over to inspect a rare orchid. "I’m just checking in on family. Or should I say, checking on the stability of our assets? I hear you’ve been liquidating my shares."
"You’ve been overleveraged," Alejandro replied, his voice deadly calm. "I’m simply protecting the family legacy from your incompetence."
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Julian’s smile didn't reach his eyes. "Is that what we're calling it? Or is it revenge? You know, Alejandro, Elena was always meant to be someone who appreciated true power. She was stifled by your... sentimentality."
Alejandro felt the blood rushing to his ears. The audacity was breathtaking. Julian was not just admitting to the kidnapping; he was taunting him with it.
