Chapter 5 - Victor Hale Was the Man My Father Trusted Most, and He Had Spent Months Preparing to Take Liam From Me Without Ever Firing a ShotWe found Victor's location.
Long Island.
A private estate.
Security cameras.
Private doctors.
Four vehicles.
My men surrounded the property.
Victor didn't resist.
He stood outside.
Older than I remembered.
Gray hair.
Expensive coat.
He smiled.
“David.”
“Victor.”
“I've been waiting.”
“For what?”
“For you to understand.”
“Understand what?”
“That your father wasn't a hero.”
“I know.”
“He created the Circle.”
“I know.”
“He wanted your son to dissolve it.”
“Yes.”
Victor smiled.
“You think that's all?”
I frowned.
“What else?”
He handed me a photograph.
My mother.
Pregnant with Chloe.
Beside her was a doctor.
The same doctor who treated Maya during pregnancy.
My stomach tightened.
“He worked for you.”
“No.”
“He worked for your father.”
“That makes no difference.”
“It does.”
Victor continued:
“Your father didn't choose Liam.”
“Then who did?”
“Your mother.”
I stared.
“What?”
“She knew the Circle would eventually collapse.”
“She chose Liam as the successor.”
“Why?”
“Because he was innocent.”
I laughed bitterly.
“You wanted to steal a newborn because he was innocent?”
“No.”
Victor looked serious.
“I wanted to prevent a war.”
“What war?”
“The Circle would destroy itself if Liam was not controlled.”
I stepped closer.
“You almost killed my wife.”
“I never ordered that.”
“Then who did?”
Victor hesitated.
“Your sister.”
I froze.
“Chloe?”
“She believed Maya would never willingly give up the baby.”
“So she starved her.”
“Your mother approved.”
My blood ran cold.
“And you?”
“I was supposed to take Liam.”
“Why?”
“To protect him.”
I laughed.
“You call kidnapping protection?”
Victor didn't respond.
Then he said:
“You don't understand what Liam represents.”
“I understand what he is.”
I looked directly at him.
“He's my son.”
Victor lowered his voice.
“And your son is the only person who can expose everyone in The Meridian Circle.”
I stared.
My father had prepared the trust.
But maybe it was never about money.
It was an exit plan.
If Liam inherited, the Circle would collapse.
Every member wanted him controlled.
Some wanted him dead.
Others wanted to own the trust.
The war had already started.
And my son was the reason.
I left Victor alive.
Not because I forgave him.
Because I needed the names.
He gave them.
Seventeen.
Politicians.
Bankers.
Criminal leaders.
Family members.
My mother.
Chloe.
Thomas.
Everyone.
But one name stood above them.
Evelyn Carter.
My grandmother.
I stared.
“She died twenty years ago.”
May you like
Victor nodded.
“That doesn't mean she stopped controlling the Circle.”
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