She Threw His Little Girl From the Balcony—But the Maid Caught Her, and What the Father Discovered Next Destroyed His Marriage

Conrad Pike looked ten years older than he had at the lake house.

His tailored suit had been replaced by a county jumpsuit. His hands shook when he lifted the paper cup in front of him.

"Vivian wanted control of Mercer Biotech," he said. "At first, Julian was the obstacle."

Cole leaned forward. "Explain."

"Ava's shares plus Julian's voting control made them untouchable. Vivian believed that if Julian died while Ava was sick, Ava could be manipulated into signing emergency documents."

Julian watched through the glass.

Maya stood several feet away. The tension between them had not disappeared, but there was no time for it.

Conrad continued.

"Vivian tried to arrange a car accident. Martin refused. I told her to stop. Then Ava discovered the trust drafts. Everything changed."

"So Vivian poisoned Ava instead?"

"She gave her extra medication to make her weaker. She said she only wanted Ava hospitalized long enough to get signatures. The infection became severe."

Cole's voice hardened. "And when Ava died?"

"Vivian panicked. Then she realized death solved the problem faster."

Julian turned away.

Maya saw his shoulders shake once.

Conrad explained the next stage. Vivian waited a year, entered Julian's social circle, and presented herself as someone who understood grief. She never told him how closely she had been involved in Ava's care.

She became his wife.

Then she learned the original trust protected Lily's shares.

"That is when the child became the obstacle," Conrad said.

Cole stared at him. "You helped her."

"I forged documents. I did not tell her to throw a child over a balcony."

"You built the road and are shocked she drove down it?"

Conrad lowered his head.

After the interview, Julian found Maya in the hallway.

"You should have told me about that night," he said.

"I know."

"But I should have listened when you tried to tell me other things."

Maya nodded.