Chapter 6 - The Otoscope's SecretGabriel stepped forward and dropped a heavy, encrypted tactical laptop onto the mahogany vanity table right beside Celeste’s perfume bottles. He plugged a specialized hardware bypass cable into the side port, and a flashing green light indicated the server was bridged.
"The master database from St. Jude’s Hospital and Julian’s private offshore holdings," Gabriel announced flatly. "Every encrypted financial transfer, every altered medical chart, and the exact audio logs of Dr. Crane discussing the implant procedure with your father three years ago."
Dr. Crane buried his face in his hands, letting out a ragged, broken sob. "God help us..."
Celeste’s composure finally shattered completely. She lunged toward the laptop, desperate to smash the screen, but Gabriel’s massive hand caught her wrist in an iron grip, forcing her back into the vanity chair.
"Don't touch it," Adrian signed, stepping closer. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small, sterile medical instrument—the very same pocket otoscope Mara Ellison had used the night before.
He placed it gently on the glass surface of the vanity table, right next to the engagement ring he had slipped onto her finger six months ago.
Do you know what this is, Celeste? Adrian signed, his eyes fixed on hers. It's a simple instrument. It shines a light into dark places. It reveals things that people spend years trying to keep hidden behind walls of lies and silence.
"Adrian, please," Celeste whispered, her voice cracking as tears finally spilled over her perfectly lined eyelashes. She reached out, her fingers trembling as she tried to brush against his sleeve. "My family... we gave you everything. We positioned you at the top of New York. I loved you."
You loved the power, Adrian corrected through his hands, his movements sharp and unrelenting. You loved the protection of a deaf king who couldn't hear the knives sliding into his back. But you made one critical mistake.
Celeste swallowed hard, her voice a fragile breath. "What... what mistake?"
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You forgot that when a man cannot hear the lies around him, Adrian signed, leaning down until his face was inches from hers, he learns to read the truth written in the terror of your eyes.
Adrian turned to Gabriel. "Bring Mara up from the guest suite. It’s time for a proper medical consultation."
