Traffic moved far below Julian's penthouse terrace. He stood beside me with a whiskey while the last calls from The Astoria went to voicemail.
“They'll appeal. The tabloids will stay on this for months, and Arthur's creditors will come after the trust.”
I watched the headlights cross the bridge. “Let them try.”
Julian set down his glass and slid a thick leather-bound document across the granite table.
“This would stop them. A public legal alliance and a merger of our names. With Thorne beside Vanderbilt, the courts, banks, and press will be more careful.”
His lawyers had already marked the protections and voting terms. The proposal was practical, generous, and ready for my signature.
It would also put another man's name between me and my own trust.
I closed the cover and pushed it b
