Under the harsh white light, the thin, pale line near Julian’s left ear was visible to everyone.

A murmur rippled through the crowd like a physical wave.

“He is lying,” Julian whispered, but his voice was caught by the stage microphone.

He looked at Senator Sterling, desperate for support.

But the Senator had already taken a step back, his eyes darting toward the exit doors.

I saw two men in dark suits standing near the back, watching the Senator closely.

They were not hotel security.

They had the cold, professional look of federal investigators.

I knew then that the files had been delivered to the prosecutor’s office just in time.

My father would be safe now; the leverage Julian held over him was gone once the truth was public.

“It is over, Julian,” Alexander said softly from the stage.

Julian turned back to Alexander, his face twisting with a sudden, vicious rage.

He lunged toward the stage steps.

“You died in that cabin!” Julian screamed.

The confession hung in the air, loud and clear over the speakers.

The crowd gasped, several people stepping backward.