Chapter 10 - THE BROTHER WHO SOLD HIS SOUL
Nathaniel Vance was arrested three days later.
Investigators uncovered evidence connecting him to Northstar's illegal operations.
The network had exploited vulnerable families, falsified records, and concealed the locations of children.
Nathaniel had used private security contracts to protect the scheme.
He had also arranged threats against people who questioned it.
Including Elena.
Including Vivian.
The farmhouse fire had not been accidental.
Evidence showed that someone working for the network had set it while Elena was away.
Maisie had been removed from the property beforehand.
The fire was intended to make Elena believe her daughter had died.
A missing child could trigger an extensive search.
A child believed dead might not.
The cruelty of it left investigators shaken.
Julian read the findings in silence.
His brother had used family resources.
Family money.
Family security.
And Julian had failed to notice.
He visited Nathaniel in custody.
They sat across from each other in a monitored interview room.
Nathaniel smiled.
“Come to lecture me?”
Julian stared.
“Why?”
Nathaniel shrugged.
“Money.”
Julian's expression hardened.
“Children?”
Nathaniel looked away.
Julian leaned forward.
“You took children from their families.”
Nathaniel laughed bitterly.
“You built an empire by frightening people. Don't pretend you're innocent.”
Julian went still.
Then said:
“I'm not.”
Nathaniel looked surprised.
Julian continued.
“But whatever I've done doesn't excuse what you did.”
He stood.
Nathaniel called after him.
“Family is supposed to protect family.”
Julian turned.
“Exactly.”
Then he walked away.
Julian cooperated with the investigation.
He provided records.
Opened company accounts to lawful review.
And removed everyone connected to Nathaniel's operations.
The process exposed weaknesses in his own empire.
Some businesses were shut down.
Others were sold.
Julian accepted the consequences.
For the first time, he understood that protecting his family required more than controlling everyone around him.
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It required confronting the truth.
Even when that truth carried his own name.
