Chapter 12 - THE NIGHT ADRIAN LOST HIS KINGDOM
Mikhail struck before the investigation could move forward.
He used old alliances to seize control of several Volkov businesses.
Bank accounts were frozen.
Executives resigned.
Security contracts disappeared.
Within forty-eight hours, Adrian lost much of the empire he'd spent fifteen years building.
I found him alone in his study.
He stood beside the window.
The city glittered beneath us.
He looked exhausted.
I approached.
“Adrian.”
He didn't turn.
“Your father and my uncle have been working together for years.”
I swallowed.
“I know.”
He laughed bitterly.
“I thought I controlled everything.”
I stepped closer.
“And now?”
He looked at me.
“Now I understand how little control I ever had.”
I studied him.
Then asked, “What are you going to do?”
He was silent.
For a moment, I saw the old Adrian.
The man who solved problems with threats.
Power.
Fear.
Then he took a breath.
“I'm going to tell the truth.”
I stared.
“Even if it costs you everything?”
He turned toward me.
“Especially then.”
I reached for his hand.
May you like
And for the first time, I didn't feel like his prisoner.
I felt like his partner.
