CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEEN – NOT EVEN THE BEST OF FRIENDS CAN BE TRUSTED

Mark turned to leave, his shoulders heavy with the weight of his actions. "Julian," he said softly, pausing at the door. "For what it's worth, I'm truly sorry. I never meant to hurt you or the family." Julian didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the flash drive in his hand. Mark took his silence as a dismissal and quietly left the room, closing the door behind him. As Julian sat back down at his desk, he felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him. The revelation of Mark's betrayal had shaken him to his core, leaving him feeling vulnerable and alone. He had always relied on Mark's counsel, his unwavering support, and now that foundation had crumbled beneath his feet. He thought of Charlotte, his rock and his partner through all the challenges they had faced together. He knew he needed to tell her about Mark's betrayal, to lean on her strength and love in this moment of darkness. But first, he had to verify the information on the flash drive. He plugged it into his computer and began to si