Chapter 4 - THE MAN WITH THE SILVER RING
Julian wore no rings except his wedding band.
He had stopped wearing even that after Vivian moved out.
But several men in his organization wore signet rings bearing the Vance family crest.
One of them was his younger brother.
Nathaniel Vance.
Nathaniel managed the family's private security contracts and several overseas shipping interests.
He was charming.
Educated.
And notoriously impatient with anyone who questioned him.
Elena had seen him once.
At a staff meeting.
He'd shaken Julian's hand.
Smiled at Clara.
And walked away wearing a silver ring with a black stone.
Elena's stomach twisted.
She approached Julian that evening.
“I need to ask you something.”
He looked up from his desk.
“Go ahead.”
“Does your brother wear a silver ring?”
Julian frowned.
“Nathaniel?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Elena swallowed.
“Clara mentioned a man with a silver ring.”
Julian's expression changed.
“What did she say?”
“That he gets angry.”
Julian stood.
“Are you accusing my brother?”
“No.”
Elena looked at him.
“I'm telling you what your daughter said.”
He stared.
Then slowly sat down.
Julian had trusted Nathaniel for years.
After their father's death, the brothers had divided responsibilities.
Julian controlled the shipping empire.
Nathaniel handled security and private investments.
They argued.
Often.
But Julian had never seriously questioned his brother's loyalty.
Until now.
That night, Julian reviewed security footage from the week before the ambush.
Nathaniel appeared repeatedly.
Entering the estate.
Speaking with Vivian.
Meeting Gabriel Mercer.
Julian frowned.
One recording showed Nathaniel leaving the east wing at 2:14 a.m.
He carried a small black case.
Julian paused the video.
Zoomed in.
The case bore a shipping label.
NORTHSTAR CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
He stared.
He'd never heard of the company.
The next morning, Elena received an anonymous message.
STOP ASKING ABOUT THE GIRL.
She stared at the screen.
Another message arrived.
YOU ALREADY LOST ONE DAUGHTER.
Her blood turned cold.
Then a photograph appeared.
A small child sleeping beneath a pink blanket.
Only the back of her head was visible.
But Elena recognized the curls.
The yellow pajama sleeve.
The tiny hand curled beside her face.
Maisie.
Elena dropped the phone.
For a moment, she couldn't breathe.
May you like
Then she picked it up.
And ran toward the mansion.
