Chapter 7 - The Trap is Set
The library of Reed Manor was a massive, two-story room lined with thousands of rare leather-bound books, a burning marble fireplace, and heavy velvet curtains that muffled the sound of the rain outside.
Julian Reed sat in a plush leather wingback chair near the fire, a crystal decanter of twenty-year-old single-malt Scotch resting on the silver tray beside him. He was pouring two fingers of amber liquid into two heavy crystal glasses.
His silver Aston Martin key fob rested on the table beside a small, white glass vial—now completely empty.
The heavy double oak doors of the library swung open.
Nathaniel walked in, looking relaxed, holding his hands out toward the warmth of the roaring fire.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Julian,” Nathaniel said smoothly, walking over to the bar cart. “I had to check on Eli. He had a slight fever earlier.”
Julian forced a warm, brotherly smile, though his eyes remained sharp, cold, and calculating. He picked up both crystal glasses, holding one out toward Nathaniel.
“No trouble at all, big brother,” Julian said, his voice dripping with easy charm. “How is the little guy doing? You know I worry about him. With Evelyn gone... you’ve been carrying such a heavy burden alone.”
Nathaniel took the crystal glass from Julian’s hand. He looked down at the amber liquid, swirling it gently, watching the light from the fireplace catch the heavy glass.
“It has been heavy, Julian,” Nathaniel murmured, raising the glass toward his nose. “Sometimes I feel like this house is haunted. Like Evelyn is still walking through the halls, watching everything we do.”
Julian’s smile twitched slightly at the corner of his mouth. “You’re working too hard, Nat. You need to rest. Sign the voting proxy papers for the board meeting on Monday, take Eli, and go to the villa in St. Barts for a month. Let me handle the heavy lifting at Reed Global.”
Nathaniel looked at his half-brother. “You’ve always wanted to handle the heavy lifting, haven't you?”
“I just want what’s best for the family,” Julian said smoothly, taking a sip from his own glass. “Drink up, brother. To family.”
Nathaniel lifted the glass to his lips.
Up in the hidden balcony gallery overlooking the library, I stood behind the dark velvet curtains, my hand pressed tightly over my mouth, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird.
Nathaniel had insisted I stay hidden in the gallery with his security chief, equipped with a night-vision camera recording every single second of the interaction below.
Don't drink it, Nathaniel, I prayed silently. Please, God, don't drink it.
Nathaniel paused with the crystal rim touching his lower lip.
He looked across the rim directly into Julian’s eyes.
“Tell me, Julian,” Nathaniel said softly. “Did you use Thallium again? Or did you find something faster this time?”
May you like
Julian froze.
The crystal glass in Julian’s hand slipped, shattering into a hundred sharp pieces against the hardwood floor, spilling amber liquid across the Persian rug.
