Chapter 2 - The SetupThe rain slammed against the front doors as Adrian stood frozen.
“Brother,” Julian said softly, stepping closer. “Our father didn’t leave everything to you. He just left you in charge until I came of age. Vanessa was kind enough to help me claim what was always mine.”
“You used my daughters,” Adrian said, his voice dripping with venom. “You locked two little girls out in a thunderstorm!”
“They were screaming,” Vanessa scoffed, standing up and smoothing her silk gown. “They were making a scene because they saw Julian’s luggage in the master bedroom. I gave them a timeout. If they caught a cold, that’s on you for coming home late.”
Mia tugged hard on Adrian’s sleeve. “Daddy... she took mommy’s locket. The one with the key.”
Adrian’s heart stopped. The silver locket around Vanessa’s neck wasn’t just jewelry. It contained the encryption key to his private security vaults—the only evidence that proved his father had disowned Julian years ago for corporate fraud.
Vanessa noticed Adrian looking at her necklace and instinctively covered it with her hand.
“Leave, Adrian,” she warned. “Before I call the police and tell them you broke in and assaulted my guest.”
May you like
“You framed me,” Adrian whispered. “The offshore account transfers... the missing funds at the firm... it wasn’t an accounting error. It was you two.”
Julian pulled a sleek silver firearm from inside his jacket, pointing it casually at the floor. “The story tomorrow morning will be very simple, Adrian. A ruined businessman, driven mad by bankruptcy, abandons his children in a storm and flees the country. Now, take the girls and walk out. Or don’t walk out at all.”
