Chapter 12 - THE OTHER SEBASTIAN
Margaret explained that Conrad had taken Julian from the hospital and raised him in secret.
Sebastian’s mother had escaped with the other twin.
Conrad had later married her publicly to legitimize Sebastian and hide Thomas Vale’s bloodline.
“Why would he need two of me?”
“One to inherit the company.”
Margaret’s expression hardened.
“One to control it.”
Julian had studied Sebastian’s voice, habits, signatures, and medical history.
He had undergone surgeries to erase the small differences between them.
He was the man in Zurich.
He was also the legal bridge Conrad needed to seize Ward Meridian.
Margaret offered Sebastian a deal.
He would remain publicly under arrest while helping expose Julian.
In exchange, Valerie and Eleanor would receive protection.
Sebastian agreed on one condition.
He wanted five minutes alone with Valerie.
They met in a secure interview room separated by bulletproof glass.
Valerie placed her palm against it.
Sebastian mirrored her hand.
“I thought I had lost you,” she said.
“You nearly did.”
“Do not joke.”
“I am not.”
He told her about Julian.
She told him Conrad had learned the key was false.
Neither spoke about the night in the penthouse.
It remained between them as something tender and dangerous.
“I need the real key,” Margaret said through the speaker.
Valerie looked at Sebastian.
He had hidden it before leaving for the board meeting.
Only one person knew where.
Marcus Hale.
Margaret’s face became unreadable.
“Marcus disappeared thirty minutes ago.”
Sebastian felt the old instinct to distrust everyone return.
A guard entered carrying a tablet.
A live broadcast showed Sebastian Ward walking freely into Crown Meridian Tower.
The man wore Sebastian’s face, Sebastian’s suit, and Sebastian’s cold smile.
Reporters shouted questions.
Julian stopped before the cameras.
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“My brother is a dangerous fraud,” he said.
“And tonight, I will prove it.”
