Chapter 9: The Bait
By Sunday evening, the estate was quiet again. Vance's team had left, leaving behind a heavily monitored network. Julian sat in his study, reading a book when the front door chimed, signaling Mara’s return.
She walked into the study a few moments later, looking perfectly composed, her overnight bag slung over her shoulder. She eyed him cautiously, testing the waters to see if he was still the volatile, defensive husband from Friday night.
"I hope you've calmed down," Mara said, keeping her distance near the door.
Julian didn't look up from his book immediately. When he did, he forced his shoulders to slump, projecting the image of a defeated, exhausted man. "I have. I'm sorry, Mara. The stress... the company is bleeding money, and I'm losing my grip. I shouldn't have taken it out on you."
Mara's eyes softened in feigned sympathy, though a flicker of triumph danced in her pupils. "We'll get through it, Julian."
May you like
"We have to," Julian sighed heavily, closing his book. He purposefully nudged a bright red folder on his desk, marked 'CONFIDENTIAL: Project Apex.' "If this offshore merger doesn't go through on Tuesday, we're filing for bankruptcy by Friday."
He knew Mara couldn't resist. Project Apex was a complete fabrication, a honeypot designed by Vance to trace the exact IP address and physical location of whoever accessed the files. The trap was set. Now, all he had to do was wait for her to bite.
