CHAPTER NINETY THREE - A Web of Lies and Mistrust

The name hit Lucas like a physical blow. Marcus Hendricks had been his partner in a venture years ago, before Montgomery's. The partnership had ended badly, with Marcus accusing Lucas of cheating him out of his fair share of the profits. "Marcus?" Lucas repeated, stunned. "But why? That was years ago." "He never got over it," Kevin explained, his words tumbling out in a rush. "He's been planning this for months. He wanted to ruin you, to take everything from you like he said you did to him." As Kevin continued to spill the details of the sabotage plan, Ella felt a mix of emotions wash over her. Relief at finally uncovering the truth, anger at the extent of the deception, and a gnawing worry about what this meant for their future. The next few hours were a blur of police statements, evidence collection, and hushed explanations to their bewildered staff and customers. By the time the last police car pulled away, with Kevin in the back seat, Ella and Lucas were exhausted. They stood