Chapter 6: The Brother Who Wanted Everything
Marcus Thorne had spent years defending his family name.
He had protected it from competitors, rumors, lawsuits, and people who wanted to use his success for their own advantage.
But there was one thing he never thought he would have to protect himself from.
His own blood.
Adrian Thorne.
His younger brother.
The person who had shared his childhood.
The person who had sat beside him at their father’s funeral.
The person Marcus had promised he would always protect.
And now that same person was standing beside Isabella Rossi in a secret meeting.
A meeting connected to an attack against his pregnant wife.
Marcus stared at the frozen image on the tablet.
He wanted to believe there was another explanation.
He needed there to be another explanation.
Because accepting the truth meant accepting something far more painful than betrayal.
It meant admitting he had misunderstood someone he loved.
“Maybe there’s a reason,” Khloe whispered.
Marcus looked at her.
The fact that she was still trying to find a possibility that protected his family made his chest tighten.
Even after everything, Khloe was still thinking about him.
About his pain.
About his family.
Richard, however, remained focused.
“Hope is useful,” he said quietly.
“But evidence is what matters.””
Marcus knew he was right.
He had built his empire on facts.
Numbers.
Contracts.
Proof.
Not emotions.
Not assumptions.
But this time, facts were hurting more than any lie.
“Play the video again,” Marcus said.
The security officer nodded.
The footage restarted.
Adrian stood in the hallway.
His face was partially visible.
His body language was relaxed.
Too relaxed.
That was what bothered Marcus most.
Adrian did not look nervous.
He did not look like someone being manipulated.
He looked like someone who belonged there.
Then Isabella handed him a folder.
Adrian opened it.
Read something.
And smiled.
Marcus felt his stomach turn.
Because that smile looked familiar.
It was the same confidence he had seen in Daniel.
The same certainty he had seen in Isabella.
The confidence of people who believed they were already winning.
“Stop.””
The officer paused the video.
Marcus looked away.
“I need to talk to him.””
Richard immediately responded.
“No.””
Marcus looked at him.
“No?””
“Not yet.””
“He is my brother.””
“And that is exactly why you cannot act emotionally.””
The words were difficult to hear.
But Marcus understood.
If Adrian was involved, confronting him too early could destroy the investigation.
People revealed themselves when they believed they were safe.
Not when they knew they were caught.
Marcus took a deep breath.
“Find out everything.””
Richard nodded.
“Already started.””
A nurse entered the room.
“Mr. Thorne?””
Marcus turned.
“Your wife needs rest.””
He looked at Khloe.
She gave him a small nod.
“Go.””
Marcus hesitated.
“I don’t want to leave you.””
“I know.””
Khloe reached for his hand.
“But if someone is trying to destroy our family, you need to know why.””
Marcus held her hand tightly.
“I’ll come back.””
“I know.””
For the first time that night, Marcus believed her.
Not because everything was okay.
But because they were finally facing the truth together.
Two hours later, Marcus sat inside his private office overlooking the city.
The view that once represented success now felt different.
Every building outside reminded him of something he had built.
Every company.
Every investment.
Every decision.
And somewhere inside all of it was a person trying to take it away.
Richard entered carrying another file.
“Adrian’s financial records.””
Marcus looked up.
“What did you find?””
Richard placed the file down.
“For the past three years, Adrian has been struggling.””
Marcus frowned.
“That’s impossible.””
“Why?””
“Because I supported him.””
Richard nodded.
“That’s why he was able to hide it.””
Marcus opened the file.
Adrian had received money from Marcus’s family trust.
Multiple payments.
Large amounts.
But the records showed something else.
Debt.
Private loans.
Unpaid investments.
Marcus stared at the numbers.
“He lost everything?””
“Not everything.””
Richard pointed at another document.
“He borrowed against future inheritance.””
Marcus became silent.
Their father had created a family trust.
Marcus had built his own fortune separately, but Adrian still had access to family assets.
“He thought he deserved more,” Marcus said.
Richard watched him.
“You knew?””
Marcus looked away.
“I knew Adrian was frustrated.””
“Frustrated?””
Marcus sighed.
“He always felt like he lived in my shadow.””
Richard nodded.
“That feeling can become dangerous.””
Marcus remembered.
Their childhood.
The differences between them.
Marcus had always been the responsible one.
The planner.
The person their father trusted with important decisions.
Adrian had been more creative.
More emotional.
More impulsive.
Their father loved both sons.
But Marcus knew Adrian had always noticed the difference.
He had always wondered if he was second.
“I should have helped him more,” Marcus said.
Richard looked at him.
“Be careful.””
Marcus looked up.
“Of what?””
“Confusing someone’s pain with an excuse for betrayal.””
The words stayed with him.
Because that was the question he had to answer.
Was Adrian hurt?
Yes.
Was he angry?
Probably.
But did that justify helping someone attack Marcus’s wife?
Never.
His phone rang.
The screen displayed an unknown number.
Marcus answered.
“Hello?””
A woman’s voice spoke.
“Mr. Thorne?””
Marcus immediately recognized it.
Elaine.
The event coordinator.
The woman Richard had mentioned.
“Where are you?””
There was silence.
“I need to tell you something.””
Marcus stood.
“Then tell me.””
“I didn’t know what Isabella planned.””
His expression hardened.
“You gave her something.””
“I thought it was just information.””
“What information?””
Elaine’s voice shook.
“Your schedule.””
Marcus froze.
“What?””
“She asked when Khloe would be alone.””
The room became silent.
“She said she wanted to talk to Khloe privately.””
Marcus’s anger rose.
“And you believed her?””
“I made a mistake.””
“A mistake?””
His voice became colder.
“My wife almost lost our child.””
Elaine began crying.
“I know.””
A pause.
“That’s why I’m calling.””
Marcus listened.
“There’s something you don’t know.””
“What?””
“Isabella wasn’t supposed to attack Khloe.””
Marcus’s eyes narrowed.
“What does that mean?””
“She was supposed to scare her.””
Marcus said nothing.
Elaine continued.
“Daniel and Adrian wanted Khloe to leave you.””
A cold feeling moved through him.
“Why?””
“Because they believed if Khloe left, you would lose control.””
Marcus understood.
His marriage was not only emotional.
It was strategic.
Khloe was his balance.
The person who reminded him who he was.
Without her, they believed he would become reckless.
Easier to manipulate.
“Where are you?”” Marcus asked.
“I can’t tell you.””
“Elaine.””
“I’m sorry.””
The call ended.
Marcus stared at the phone.
Then Richard spoke.
“She knows something else.””
Marcus nodded.
“Yes.””
His phone immediately received another message.
This time, it was from Adrian.
*We need to talk. Alone.*
Marcus looked at the screen.
Richard noticed.
“Don’t go alone.””
Marcus knew that was the smart choice.
The safe choice.
But something inside him needed answers.
Not as a businessman.
Not as a billionaire.
As a brother.
“I have to hear what he says.””
Richard looked concerned.
“Marcus.””
“He’s my brother.””
Richard sighed.
“That is exactly why this is dangerous.””
Marcus grabbed his coat.
Before leaving, he looked once more at the hospital room where Khloe rested.
He made a promise silently.
Not just to her.
To their child.
He would uncover every secret.
No matter who was responsible.
Even if the truth destroyed the family he had spent his entire life protecting.
The meeting location was an abandoned private club on the edge of the city.
A place Marcus and Adrian used to visit when they were younger.
A place filled with memories.
Which made the situation even worse.
Adrian stood near the window when Marcus entered.
For several seconds, neither brother spoke.
Then Adrian smiled sadly.
“You look at me like I’m a stranger.””
Marcus stared at him.
“Are you?””
Adrian looked away.
“That hurts.””
“You helped someone attack my wife.””
Adrian’s expression changed.
“I didn’t tell Isabella to do that.””
Marcus stepped closer.
“But you knew.””
Silence.
That was enough.
Marcus felt the betrayal sink deeper.
“You knew.””
Adrian slowly turned around.
“Yes.””
The answer was quiet.
But devastating.
“Why?””
Adrian laughed softly.
A bitter sound.
“Because you took everything.””
Marcus frowned.
“What?””
“You got the company. The respect. The family name. The perfect life.””
Adrian’s eyes filled with years of resentment.
“And I got to stand behind you and pretend I was happy.””
Marcus stared at him.
“You think I wanted that?””
“I think you enjoyed being the one everyone chose.””
The anger in Adrian’s voice grew.
“I was always your little brother.””
Marcus shook his head.
“You were my family.””
Adrian looked away.
“Not anymore.””
The words cut deeper than Marcus expected.
Then Adrian said something that changed everything.
“Because the truth is…”
He paused.
“You were never supposed to be the one who inherited everything.””
Marcus froze.
“What are you talking about?””
Adrian reached into his pocket.
And pulled out an old document.
A document Marcus had never seen before.
“I found this months ago.””
Marcus stared.
“What is it?””
Adrian smiled.
“The reason our father never trusted you as much as you thought.””
And in that moment, Marcus realized the betrayal had started long before Isabella.
Long before Daniel.
Long before the attack.
May you like
It started inside his own family.
With a secret his father had taken to the grave.
