Chapter 8: The Betrayal Written In Blood
When I returned to The Grand Regent, Daniel was waiting near the executive offices.
His face told me everything.
This wasn’t another complaint.
This was personal.
“What did you find?””
He handed me a folder.
“Victor kept private records.””
I opened it.
Inside were emails.
Contracts.
Old documents.
And one name appeared repeatedly.
Alexander Cross.
I felt my stomach tighten.
“How?””
Daniel shook his head.
“We’re still investigating.””
I continued reading.
Victor had been communicating with a private consulting company.
That company was connected to Alexander Cross.
But the strangest part wasn’t the connection.
It was the dates.
Some of these communications began five years ago.
Long before Victor became regional director.
“Why would Victor work with him?””
Daniel looked at me.
“Maybe because someone recruited him.””
Exactly.
Victor wasn’t the architect.
He was hired.
Used.
Controlled.
I closed the folder.
“Where is Victor?””
“He was released pending investigation.””
That surprised me.
“Released?””
“He has lawyers.””
Of course.
People like Victor never walked alone.
They always had protection.
I looked out the window.
“Find him.””
Daniel looked surprised.
“Sir?””
“I want to know who he contacts when he thinks nobody is watching.””
That evening, I followed Victor.
Not personally.
I had people who could do that.
But I watched the reports as they came in.
Victor left his apartment.
Entered a private car.
Traveled across the city.
Then arrived at a restaurant.
A very expensive one.
The person waiting for him was unexpected.
Margaret Sloan.
I stared at the photograph.
Daniel stood beside me.
“No way.””
“Apparently yes.””
The two executives who seemed separate were connected.
Victor.
Margaret.
Alexander Cross.
The pieces were forming.
But something still didn’t fit.
“Why would Margaret risk everything?””
Daniel didn’t answer.
Because neither of us knew.
The next day, Margaret requested a private meeting.
I almost refused.
Almost.
But curiosity won.
She entered my office alone.
No assistant.
No preparation.
That was unusual.
“I know you’re investigating me,” she said.
I remained silent.
She looked tired.
Not angry.
Tired.
“Ethan, there are things you don’t understand.””
“Then explain.””
She looked toward the window.
“Your father was not the man you thought he was.””
The words hit harder than expected.
I stood.
“Be careful.””
“I’m telling you the truth.””
“You worked for him.””
“Yes.””
“For years.””
“Yes.””
“Then why attack his company?””
Her eyes became emotional.
“I didn’t.””
“Victor did.””
She shook her head.
“No.””
A pause.
“Victor followed orders.””
“From Alexander?””
She looked away.
That was enough.
But then she said something I never expected.
“Alexander is not the person you should fear.””
My expression changed.
“Who then?””
Margaret looked at me.
“The person who inherited everything after your father died.””
My blood ran cold.
“What are you saying?””
She whispered:
“Ethan…”
“The betrayal came from your own family.””
The room went silent.
I stared at her.
“That’s impossible.””
She didn’t answer.
Because she knew.
I wasn’t ready.
That night, I searched through old family records.
Birth certificates.
Company documents.
Inheritance papers.
Anything that could explain what Margaret meant.
Then I found something.
A document hidden inside my father’s legal files.
A partnership agreement.
Not between my father and Alexander.
Between my father and someone else.
Someone whose name had been removed.
Someone I knew.
Someone I trusted.
My hands froze.
Because the signature at the bottom belonged to…
My uncle.
Richard Vance.
My father’s younger brother.
A man who had always treated me like his own son.
A man who attended my wedding.
A man who comforted me after Claire died.
A man who had helped me take control of the company.
I stared at the signature.
My entire understanding of my family collapsed.
Then my phone rang.
Richard.
Speaking of the devil.
I answered.
“Uncle Richard.””
His voice sounded warm.
“Ethan. I heard you’ve been having trouble at the hotel.””
I looked at the document.
“Yes.””
A pause.
“Are you investigating everyone?””
The question was casual.
But the meaning wasn’t.
“How did you know that?””
Silence.
Just for a moment.
Then he laughed.
“I know everything that happens in our family business.””
Our family business.
The words felt different now.
Dangerous.
“Richard.””
“Yes?””
“Were you involved with Alexander Cross?””
Another silence.
Longer this time.
Then his voice changed.
“You should stop digging.””
My grip tightened around the phone.
“Why?””
“Because some truths destroy more than lies.””
The call ended.
I stood alone in the dark office.
For years, I believed enemies came from outside.
Competitors.
Rivals.
May you like
Strangers.
I never imagined the greatest threat could share my last name.
