Chapter 27 - The Return to Bel AirSix months after moving our primary operations to Zurich, business requirements demanded a temporary return to our North American headquarters in Los Angeles.
My private car glided smoothly through the wrought-iron gates of the Bel Air estate.
The property looked breathtaking. The extensive gardens I had once tended myself were now meticulously maintained by professional arborists. The grand French doors glistened under the California sun, and the marble fountain in the courtyard bubbled with crystal-clear water.
I walked through the grand double doors of the foyer, stepping onto the polished marble floors.
There was no smell of burnt duck, stale champagne, or toxic arrogance in the air. The house smelled of fresh eucalyptus, polished mahogany, and absolute peace.
Marcus walked in behind me, carrying my briefcase. "Are you staying here during the LA summit, or would you prefer the Beverly Hills penthouse?"
"No, Marcus," I said, walking slowly into the grand dining room where that fateful dinner party had taken place over a year ago. "I’ll stay here. This house was never Julian’s. It was always mine."
I stood at the exact spot where Julian had stood with his champagne flute, where his family had laughed, and where Chloe had dangled the antique brass keys.
May you like
I looked down at the center of the mahogany table, where a crystal vase filled with fresh white orchids now sat in place of ruined food and crumpled currency.
The ghosts were gone. The noise had been silenced.
