Chapter 8 - Adrian returned to Manhattan before dawn.The Whitmore Global headquarters rose above the city like a blade of glass.
When Adrian entered the lobby, employees turned.
Some recognized him immediately.
Others stared as though seeing a ghost.
One receptionist dropped her coffee.
“Mr. Whitmore?”
He continued walking.
“Where is the board?”
“Already in session.”
He entered the elevator.
The doors closed.
His reflection stared back at him.
He looked different.
Not because of the dirt-covered clothes.
Because for the first time, he didn't see himself as untouchable.
At the forty-second floor, the boardroom was full.
Evelyn sat at the head of the table.
Malcolm was beside her.
Adrian opened the door.
Every conversation stopped.
Evelyn looked up.
For a moment, genuine shock crossed her face.
Then she smiled.
“My son.”
Adrian walked inside.
“I heard I was dead.”
No one moved.
Malcolm's face tightened.
Evelyn remained calm.
“You should have called.”
“You declared me dead.”
“You disappeared.”
“For two days.”
“You have been under enormous pressure.”
Adrian dropped a folder onto the table.
“Then explain this.”
Bank records.
Forged signatures.
Shell companies.
His father's medical documents.
Evelyn stared at them.
Then laughed softly.
“This is ridiculous.”
Malcolm looked toward the board.
“Adrian is clearly unstable.”
One director frowned.
“You just told us he was dead.”
Malcolm stiffened.
Adrian smiled.
“That is exactly the problem.”
He connected a drive to the screen.
A recording appeared.
His father's face.
Old.
Tired.
Terrified.
The boardroom fell silent.
Thomas spoke from the screen.
“If this recording is being watched, someone has tried to take control of Whitmore Global.”
Evelyn stood.
“Turn it off.”
Adrian ignored her.
Thomas continued.
“My wife Evelyn and my advisor Malcolm Reed have manipulated company assets for years.”
The board erupted.
Evelyn shouted:
“This recording is fabricated.”
Then another file appeared.
Bank transfers.
Signatures.
Dates.
Names.
Victor.
Malcolm.
Evelyn.
Adrian looked around the room.
“Do you still think it's fabricated?”
No one answered.
Evelyn suddenly smiled.
“You think you've won.”
Adrian narrowed his eyes.
“What does that mean?”
She leaned toward him.
“You still don't understand.”
She pressed a button.
The screen changed.
A live video feed appeared.
Grace.
Tied to a chair.
Adrian's face changed.
Evelyn whispered:
“You should have left her alone.”
Grace looked directly into the camera.
Her mouth was covered.
Behind her stood Victor.
Evelyn continued.
“The same woman who fed you at the gate.”
Adrian stepped toward the screen.
“Where is she?”
Evelyn smiled.
“You have ten minutes.”
“To do what?”
“Sign the transfer documents.”
Adrian laughed.
“You think I'll trade my company for her?”
Evelyn's smile disappeared.
“You will.”
“Why?”
“Because you finally understand something.”
She leaned closer.
“You care.”
The screen went black.
Adrian stared.
The board members were silent.
One director whispered:
“Mr. Whitmore…”
Adrian looked at him.
“Get me every private security contractor in the city.”
“Why?”
“Because we're going hunting.”
He turned toward the door.
Then his attorney called.
“Adrian.”
“What?”
“There is another problem.”
“What now?”
The attorney sent a file.
Adrian opened it.
It was a birth certificate.
Grace Miller.
Mother: Claire Miller.
Father: Michael Miller.
But underneath was an additional page.
A sealed adoption record.
Adrian read the name.
His face went pale.
May you like
Grace's biological mother was listed as:
Evelyn Whitmore.
Related Stories
