Chapter 5 - THE WEB OF DECEPTION
The tension in the nursery was so thick it was difficult to breathe. Marcus slowly raised his hands, displaying empty palms, while keeping his body angled toward Adrian.
"Boss," Marcus said smoothly, his voice showing no trace of the panic he had expressed moments earlier. "I was conducting an extra security perimeter check on the upper balconies. I saw a movement near the window and came inside to make sure the nanny and the baby were safe."
Adrian’s eyes narrowed slightly. He didn't move from the doorway, but his dangerous aura filled the entire room.
"Is that true, Clara?" Adrian asked, his gaze shifting to Clara.
Clara stood frozen. She looked at Marcus, who was giving her a subtle, warning glare, and then at Adrian, whose cold eyes seemed to see straight into her soul. If she exposed Marcus right now, Marcus might pull a weapon. If she lied to Adrian, she would become an accomplice to treason.
"I... I heard a noise on the balcony, Mr. Vale," Clara said, carefully choosing her words. "Marcus came in through the doors to check on us. He was just making sure we were secure."
Adrian looked between the two of them for a long, agonizing moment. Then, he took a slow step forward into the room.
"Marcus," Adrian said quietly. "Go down to the command center. Check the east perimeter cameras. I thought I saw a light near the old gate."
"Right away, boss," Marcus replied with a quick nod. He shot one last glance at Clara before stepping out of the nursery into the hallway.
Once the doors closed, Adrian walked slowly over to the table where Marcus had placed the envelope moments earlier. Clara’s heart plummeted into her stomach.
Adrian picked up the envelope. He didn't open it immediately; instead, he felt its weight between his fingers, his expression unreadable.
"You're a terrible liar, Clara," Adrian said softly, without looking at her.
Clara’s breath caught in her throat. "Mr. Vale—"
"Marcus didn't come in to check security," Adrian said, turning to face her. "He came in here to give you this."
Adrian ripped open the envelope. Inside were two fake passports, a large stack of foreign currency, and two boat tickets departing for South America at midnight the following evening.
Clara dropped to her knees, overcome with fear. "Mr. Vale, please! I swear to you, I had no part in this! I didn't ask for those documents!"
Adrian looked down at her, his face a mask of hard marble. He tossed the envelope onto the table and stepped closer, kneeling until he was at eye level with her.
"Why didn't you tell me the truth about who you are?" Adrian asked, his voice unexpectedly low and quiet.
Clara looked up, her vision blurred with tears. "You know?"
"I've known since yesterday," Adrian revealed, surprising her completely. "I knew your real name was Clara Vance. I knew Julian Vance was your half-brother."
Clara stared at him in utter disbelief. "You knew... and you didn't execute me?"
A bitter, humorless smile touched Adrian's lips. "If I executed everyone connected to people who tried to betray me, I would have killed half the city by now. I ran a complete background check on you the day I hired you eleven months ago, Clara. I knew you hadn't spoken to Julian in seven years. I knew he abandoned you and your mother when you were just a child."
He reached out, his large, calloused thumb gently wiping away a tear that had slipped down her cheek. The gesture was surprisingly tender, contrasting sharply with his reputation as a ruthless monster.
"I know you had nothing to do with my wife's death," Adrian continued quietly. "And I know you care for my son. But Marcus... Marcus thinks he can use you to ruin me."
Clara swallowed hard, processing his words. "Marcus is the traitor?"
"Marcus was working with my rivals in the Moretti family," Adrian said, his eyes hardening once more. "He killed your brother to keep him quiet. And now he wants to kidnap my son and frame you for it, using your family connection as the perfect cover."
Clara looked toward the crib, where Noah was sleeping peacefully. A surge of fierce protectiveness surged within her chest. She had lost her sister and her niece; she refused to let anyone hurt this innocent child.
"What are we going to do?" Clara asked, her voice steadying with sudden resolve.
May you like
Adrian looked at her, impressed by the quick return of her strength. He stood up and held out his hand to help her to her feet.
"Tomorrow night, Marcus expects you to take Noah to that boat," Adrian said, a dark, calculating smile appearing on his face. "We are going to give him exactly what he expects—and then we are going to tear his operation to the ground."
