Chapter 6 - THE DEAD BROTHER
Victor had watched Michael’s coffin lowered into the ground.
He had stood beside their mother in freezing rain.
He had paid for the funeral.
He had carried the guilt for five years.
Now Marcus was telling him the coffin had been empty.
“You’re lying.”
Marcus shrugged.
“Check the burial records.”
Victor did.
By noon, his people had found the truth.
The identification process after Michael’s supposed death had been manipulated.
The body had never been positively identified through DNA.
Victor sat alone in his study.
Memories returned one after another.
Michael had always hated being second.
Their father had chosen Victor to lead the family businesses.
Michael had called it betrayal.
Then money disappeared.
Deals collapsed.
Three men loyal to Victor were bribed.
Victor confronted Michael.
Michael vanished six weeks later.
Then came the reported car crash.
Victor had believed the war between them had ended.
It had only gone underground.
Cole entered.
“We traced several payments from Serena’s hidden account.”
Victor looked up.
“Where?”
“Shell companies.”
“And?”
“The final beneficiary appears connected to Michael.”
Victor leaned back.
Serena had been recruited.
The engagement had been engineered.
Ethan had been watched.
Lily had become a problem because she had noticed the abuse.
But one question remained.
“Why hurt Ethan before the wedding?”
Cole placed another document on the desk.
“Maybe she wasn’t supposed to.”
Victor read a recovered message.
DO NOT DAMAGE THE CHILD.
WE NEED HIM HEALTHY.
Victor’s eyes narrowed.
Serena had lost control.
Her cruelty had nearly destroyed Michael’s plan.
Which meant Michael might now see Serena as a liability.
Victor stood.
“Where is she?”
“Guest suite.”
“Move her.”
“Where?”
“Secure room downstairs.”
Victor walked toward the door.
Cole followed.
They found Serena packing.
She looked up.
“You can’t keep me here.”
Victor tossed Michael’s photograph onto the bed.
Serena stopped.
That was enough.
Victor saw recognition.
“You know him.”
“No.”
“You just answered.”
Serena backed away.
Victor closed the door.
“He recruited you.”
Silence.
“He put you in my path.”
Serena’s breathing quickened.
“You don’t understand.”
“Then help me understand.”
Serena stared at Michael’s photograph.
“He promised me something.”
“What?”
“A life.”
Victor almost laughed.
“You already had one.”
“No.”
Her voice sharpened.
“I had invitations.”
“Dresses.”
“Photographers.”
“Nothing belonged to me.”
“Michael said if I married you, I would never have to beg anyone for anything again.”
“And Ethan?”
Serena looked away.
Victor stepped closer.
“And my son?”
“I wasn’t supposed to hurt him.”
The admission hung between them.
Victor’s voice dropped.
“But you did.”
Serena’s eyes filled with panic.
“He wouldn’t stop crying.”
“He kept calling for Lily.”
“And that made you angry?”
“He rejected me.”
“He’s fourteen months old.”
Serena said nothing.
Victor’s disgust was unmistakable.
Then Serena whispered.
“You think Lily is innocent?”
Victor stopped.
May you like
Serena looked at him.
“Ask her why Michael already knew her name before she ever came to work for you.”
