Chapter 5 - THE NIGHT OF THE FALSE ALARM
Adrian listened without interrupting as I told him about the tunnel.
Marco stood beside his desk, examining an old blueprint.
Mrs. Alvarez had been right.
A narrow service passage ran beneath the west wing.
It had been sealed after a security incident nearly fifteen years earlier.
But the plans revealed something alarming.
The passage connected to a maintenance room directly beneath Adrian's private quarters.
Marco pointed at the blueprint.
"If someone reopened the exterior entrance, they could reach the lower service corridor without passing the main checkpoints."
Adrian's expression hardened.
"Who has access to these plans?"
"Senior security personnel. Estate management. Maintenance."
"Dean?"
Marco nodded.
"Yes."
Adrian leaned back.
For a moment, he looked older than thirty-seven.
"How long has he been working for me?"
"Eleven years."
I watched Adrian's face.
Eleven years.
Eleven years of loyalty.
Eleven years of trust.
And now, betrayal.
He looked at me.
"Claire, did you hear anything else?"
I hesitated.
"There was a word."
"What word?"
"Orchid."
Marco frowned.
"Orchid?"
I nodded.
"Dean said, 'When the orchid arrives, everything changes.'"
Adrian went completely still.
I noticed immediately.
"What is it?"
He looked at Marco.
Marco's face had gone pale.
Adrian spoke quietly.
"The Atlantic delegation's representative is named Victor Orchid."
I stared.
"He's coming tomorrow?"
Adrian nodded.
"Yes."
Marco looked at the blueprint again.
"Then this isn't just an assassination attempt."
Adrian's voice hardened.
"No."
May you like
He looked toward the windows.
"It's a takeover."
