CHAPTER 13 — THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN
The fire from the burning helicopter still lit the night sky.
Police officers, firefighters, and federal agents rushed across the Mercer Estate, believing the nightmare had finally ended.
They were wrong.
Marcus stood silently, holding the scorched envelope that Elena had left behind years ago.
Emily Carter approached carefully.
"We searched every inch of the underground complex."
"No sign of Adrian."
Marcus didn't answer.
Instead, he opened the final page of Elena's letter.
A single handwritten sentence appeared at the bottom.
Never trust the man who financed your first empire.
Marcus's expression froze.
There was only one man that description fit.
Arthur Ashford.
The billionaire investor who had rescued Marcus from bankruptcy twenty-five years earlier.
The man who had attended Marcus's adoption ceremony for Lily.
The man everyone called family.
Viktor noticed Marcus's face.
"What is it?"
Marcus looked toward the burning mansion.
"We've been hunting the wrong enemy."
Thousands of miles away...
Inside a luxurious Swiss chalet hidden deep in the Alps...
An elderly gentleman watched international news coverage of the Mercer Estate.
The television reported Cassandra's death.
Richard Wells's arrest.
The destruction of Marcus Mercer's home.
The old man smiled.
He quietly switched off the television.
"Excellent."
A young assistant entered.
"Sir, should we terminate Project Mercer?"
The old man chuckled.
"No."
"Phase One succeeded perfectly."
"The daughter survived."
"The father survived."
"They're exactly where I wanted them."
The assistant frowned.
"What about Adrian Black?"
The old man looked toward the snowy mountains.
"There never was an Adrian Black."
"It was simply a name."
"A mask worn by whoever I needed."
The assistant's face turned pale.
"You mean..."
The old billionaire smiled.
"I've been Adrian Black all along."
Back in Los Angeles...
Marcus stared at an old family photograph.
Arthur Ashford stood beside him...
One hand resting gently on little Lily's shoulder.
Marcus whispered,
May you like
"You were close enough to destroy everything..."
"...because I invited you inside."
