CHAPTER 3: Shadows of the Laurent Dynasty
The mansion doors swung open, and four men in tailored dark suits entered, led by my father’s personal security chief, Marcus. Without a word, they stepped between Adrian and me.
“Miss Evelyn,” Marcus said, bowing his head respectfully. “Your father’s private vehicle is outside. We are here to escort you home.”
Adrian took a step forward. “Evelyn, wait—we can talk about this!”
Marcus placed a heavy hand on Adrian’s shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. “Mr. Vale, I suggest you focus on the federal auditors arriving at your corporate headquarters in twenty minutes.”
I walked out of the mansion without looking back. Outside, a sleek black sedan waited in the rain.
Twenty minutes later, I arrived at the Laurent Estate—a sprawling, fortified compound on the outskirts of the city. My father sat in his study, staring out the floor-to-ceiling windows with a glass of scotch in his hand.
“Evelyn,” he said softly, turning around. His sharp eyes softened as he saw the bruises on my arms. The warmth immediately vanished, replaced by an terrifying coldness. “He touched you.”
“It’s over now, Dad,” I said, sitting down heavily. “The accounts are frozen. The board will remove him by morning.”
“Good,” Richard said, walking over to pour me a glass of warm tea. “He was a parasite. I allowed him to exist because you loved him. Now he pays the price.”
I looked at my phone, the strange text message still burned into my memory.
“Dad,” I asked, looking him straight in the eyes. “Why did you agree to help Adrian’s company three years ago? You hate self-made tech founders. But you backed him instantly.”
My father’s hand paused for a fraction of a second over the teacup. It was so fast standard observer would have missed it, but I knew him too well.
“He had promise, Evelyn,” Richard said smoothly. “And he made you happy.”
“That’s not the whole truth,” I replied softly. “Who sent me this message?”
May you like
I held up the phone. My father looked at the text. His expression did not change, but his eyes grew dark.
“Ignore it,” Richard said, his voice turning commanding. “Adrian is desperate. He’s trying to plant seeds of doubt to divide us. Focus on your recovery. Tomorrow, the public execution of Vale Enterprises begins.”
