unlight streamed through the tall windows of the Vance estate bedroom, casting golden rays over the ivory wa

hair, still wearing his shirt from the night

"I didn't want to disturb

elf up, forcing a

rnered forever. What did

round his waist. "Family. Busine

r to kiss his cheek. "He mea

his empire he's built..

softened. "And

u

all at once. He didn't want this empire. He wanted its secrets, its skelet

tretched. "What's

formally as his successor-well, his son-in-law first, but you know how he thinks. Then the usual we

stomach

l requests. If he wanted a meeting, it meant somethi

after brunch,

ed into the walk-in closet where his hidden documents lay tucked beneath a false bottom

y gathered-executives, lawyers, investors, and old-money friends. The scent of fresh croissants

ival didn't

om the head of the table with his signatur

he congratulations came in waves, shallow and syrupy. But beneath

ple, he was

n boy fro

myst

e Legal, "we were just discussing succession planning.

, masking his tension. "I'd be honore

light but firm. "Adrian's earned his place at the tabl

said. "I wouldn't ex

rcus liked to pretend he was grooming Adrian for greatness-but Adrian knew b

s would b

dge of the terrace, his black suit crisp and spot

a word,

ways, past ancestral portraits and towering vases, until they reached the east wing. Seba

aid, pouring himself a glass of neat scotch des

s arms. "You've

th red wax. "We ran a digital sweep of the estate cameras. It's proto

wine. The caterers said the cellar was locked, an

e seen near isn't where the wine is kept. It's where Marcus sto

envelope and o

utline of a man in a tuxedo moving through the corridor outside the

rove that's me,"

agreed. "But I

urity is so poor if a groom can wander

hickened w

his drink, then smiled

mor, hide your past behind charm and pedigree. But I'll find out

link. "You're w

ment before Sebastian turned and walked a

jacket pocket, heart hammeri

e was s

re starting t

-

e transformed into a dazzling gala scene, Adrian slipped away f

ered on the third

connected to my father's case. There's a paper tra

plied. "Your window is closing. If they disc

n interrupted.

was a

rl still i

n hes

d faintly from the

ing," he said. "And I d

is a luxury you can

ne wen

ng the Vances from afar as they celebrated another charity success. Marcus raised a toast.

stepped back

he mas

keep playi

r

soon- the tru

uld finally face the consequence

the boy who died that day... An

the gala like a sha

society were in attendance- politicians, tech moguls, fashion elites, and generational wealth wrapped in designer suit

wasn't here to rise among them

tly at his elbow. "Dance

er the golden chandelier lights, her chestnut hair cascading over her shoulders like silk

d his arm

d they moved onto the dance floor. As they sw

r," she murmured. "Y

There's been some instability in the Tokyo mark

en looked up at him.

esit

s searc

I just... feel like ever since the wedding, there's a w

close to the

ehead. "I've never been more presen

slipping away in t

ially

rling at the edges like a sunrise

hispered. "I

, he wished

Marcus, clinked his champagne flute from the stage at the far e

tal-clear sound system. "Tonight is about giving-about hope, resilience, and the power of

n sti

ing into building Vance Holdings-not just as a company, but as a symbol o

Adrian and Elena,

arrived. My daughter has found a man worthy o

erupted in po

epping forward with Elena as t

son-in-law. May your hands always protect what

lause r

r thi

d it: a threat. A warning wrapped in praise. Marcus

al now wou

nt before someone approached-an older woman with silver hair pulled into a tight

" she said.

sharp, cool authority

a hand. "Chairwoman of Greywell's ethics

de his spin

she said bluntly. "R

tilt slightly. "You...

lenge Marcus. But your father believed truth should spe

steady. "Why are you

e walking the same road he did. But you need to understand something-what Marcu

lp me di

him, her blu

re's a safety deposit box registered in your father's name. A backup archive

lse quicken

Box 8419. You'll need both

lean

ase is your only chance: 'What is d

. "I loved your father, Mr. Cross. He deserved better. Jus

re Elena stood, laughing with two gu

hat I must

pression grim. "Then

exhausted from the week of events and stress. He moved in silence, slipping into the walk-in closet. From beneath his s

nd was

s hadn't erased-records of the early transactions, communications, or even footage

urveillance had increased. Sebastian was circling. Marcus was pla

eping figure in the bed-her chest rising and falli

ger could he

d he pretend this wa

n to wonder: what if he didn't have to burn it all down

he knock at the door, the sight of his father'

o

d be no fo

y f

climbed into bed beside Elena. She stirred, turned

come back," h

ven she would see the real Adrian Cross. And when