Chapter 29 - The Realization
The realization hung heavily in the room like a physical weight. We needed Richard Vale.
"We are not going to him," Vanessa said instantly, shaking her head as she backed away from the desk. "We are not begging that monster for a favor. He will just use it to manipulate us again. He will thrive on our desperation."
"Vanessa is right," Elena agreed, her voice trembling slightly at the mere mention of her tormentor's name. "Richard does not give gifts. He only makes transactional, toxic trades."
I stared at the boarded-up front window, thinking about Clara and the countless other women depending on this clinic for their physical safety. Julian was using Richard’s exact playbook, but he was far more insulated.
"We don't have to beg him," I said quietly, the gears of a desperate plan turning rapidly in my mind. "Richard is a textbook narcissist. His entire identity is built on the delusion that he is the smartest, most powerful man in any room. Julian is out here freely spending Richard’s money, utilizing Richard’s corrupt connections, and taking absolute control of the empire Richard built."
Mateo crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing in understanding. "You want to weaponize Richard’s ego against Julian."
"Exactly," I nodded. "Richard is rotting in a six-by-eight concrete cell, entirely stripped of his power. If we tell him that Julian is swooping in to claim all the hidden offshore assets and successfully stealing the Carter House—the very house Richard failed to keep—his fragile ego won't be able to handle it. He won't give us the documents to help us. He will give us the documents solely to destroy Julian."
Mr. Pierce adjusted his glasses, looking deeply impressed. "It is a highly dangerous psychological gamble, Emily. If he suspects you are playing him, he will gladly let Julian burn you to the ground."
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"I know how to speak his language," I said, grabbing my car keys. "I spent twenty years listening to him lie. I know exactly how to push his buttons. I’m going to the prison."
Vanessa stepped forward, her jaw set with an unbreakable, fierce resolve. "You are not going alone. We do this together. We show him that he failed to break us."
