Chapter 2 - THE REVENGE PACTThe shock of Luka’s words paralyzed Elena. For five years, since her father’s tragic death, she had believed the police report: a faulty wiring incident, a sudden chemical flash, an unavoidable tragedy.
"That's... that's impossible," Elena stammered, backing up slightly until her legs hit the hospital bed. "Richard was just a low-level research assistant when we met. He didn't know anything about genetic engineering."
"He was never a low-level assistant," Luka corrected, his gaze hardening. "He was Richard Sterling’s proxy—the same syndicate leader who tried to strip your family's estate clean. When Richard married you, it wasn't for love. It was a long-term play to get his hands on the M-17 genome sequence stored inside your family lineage."
Luka reached into his tailored black jacket and pulled out a heavy, sealed manila folder, placing it gently on the bedside table.
"Inside this envelope are bank statements, encrypted emails between Richard and your father's former lab assistant, and proof that Richard has been siphoning millions from your personal trust fund into offshore accounts under Valerie's name," Luka stated calmly.
Elena looked down at the envelope, her initial fear rapidly giving way to a cold, burning fury. The man who had humiliated her, abandoned her and their newborn child in a hospital hallway without a second thought, hadn't just been unfaithful. He had been planning her destruction for years.
May you like
"What do you want, Luka?" Elena asked, looking up into his tattooed face with sudden, fierce resolve. "People like you don't just help strangers out of the goodness of their hearts."
Luka’s lips curved into a faint, grim smile. "I want justice for your father. And you want your life, your dignity, and your daughter back. We share an enemy, Elena. Let me be your shield."
