Chapter 5 - The Betrayal That Nearly Destroyed The Vale Empire
The board suspended Vanessa immediately.
But Adrian knew suspension wasn't enough.
Someone inside the company had helped her.
Someone with authority.
Someone who could still access financial systems.
Malcolm had been arrested, but another executive remained.
Adrian's cousin, Thomas Vale.
Thomas had served as vice president for eight years.
He also happened to be the one person Vanessa trusted after Malcolm disappeared.
Adrian confronted him that afternoon.
Thomas laughed.
“You really believe all this?”
“I have evidence.”
“Evidence planted by your wife.”
“Claire didn't know you existed in half these transactions.”
Thomas leaned against the desk.
“You've always been arrogant.”
“I built this company.”
“No.”
Thomas shook his head.
“Your father did.”
“And Claire helped me save it.”
“You mean she sold her mother's piano.”
Adrian froze.
“How do you know?”
Thomas smiled.
“I knew everything.”
Then he admitted it.
He had been the source of company information for Vanessa.
He supplied internal reports.
Meeting schedules.
Financial passwords.
Even Adrian's personal calendar.
But he claimed he didn't know Vanessa intended to target Claire.
Adrian didn't believe him.
“Why?”
“Because I was promised something.”
“What?”
“The company.”
Thomas looked almost bitter.
“You were always father's favorite. Then Claire came along and suddenly everything became yours.”
“You were family.”
“That never stopped you from leaving me behind.”
Adrian stared at him.
“You didn't lose your place because of me.”
Thomas smiled.
“You're wrong.”
He opened a drawer.
Inside was an old photograph of three young men.
Adrian's father.
Michael Vale.
Daniel Cross.
Thomas pointed to Michael.
“My father.”
Adrian went silent.
“Thomas…”
“My father didn't die.”
“What?”
“He disappeared.”
“Where is he?”
Thomas smiled.
“You already know.”
Adrian's heart sank.
“Hawthorne Capital.”
Thomas nodded.
The missing uncle was alive.
He had been operating behind the scenes for decades.
But why?
That night, Rebecca found a location connected to Michael.
A private estate in Vermont.
Adrian wanted to go immediately.
But Claire's condition worsened.
Her heart rhythm became unstable.
She was transferred to intensive care.
Adrian stood outside the room.
The doctor said:
“We need to consider advanced intervention.”
“How long?”
“I can't give you a timeline.”
Adrian looked through the glass.
Claire was unconscious.
For the first time, money meant nothing.
He could buy buildings.
Companies.
Jets.
But he couldn't buy her another heartbeat.
He called Rebecca.
“Go to Vermont without me.”
“Adrian—”
“Find Michael.”
“And you?”
“I stay here.”
Claire woke the next morning.
Adrian was sitting beside her.
He looked exhausted.
“You stayed.”
“I promised.”
She smiled faintly.
“Don't make promises you can't keep.”
“I can keep this one.”
He reached into his pocket.
Claire's wedding ring was there.
The same ring she had given back to him.
He placed it on the table.
“I don't want you to wear it unless you choose to.”
She looked at it.
“Why did you bring it?”
“Because three months ago I thought returning it was freedom.”
“And now?”
“Now I know it was cowardice.”
She looked at him for a long moment.
Then said:
“I don't know if we can go back.”
“We don't have to.”
“What does that mean?”
“We can build something new.”
She didn't answer.
But she reached toward the ring.
She didn't put it on.
She simply closed her fingers around it.
That was enough for him.
Later that afternoon, Rebecca called.
“We found Michael.”
Adrian stepped into the hallway.
“Where?”
“He's alive.”
“Is he willing to talk?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because someone else is with him.”
“Who?”
Rebecca paused.
“Vanessa.”
Adrian felt cold.
“She escaped?”
“Yes.”
“Where is Claire?”
“In the hospital.”
“No,” Rebecca said.
“That's exactly what she wants.”
“What?”
“She wants Adrian to leave the hospital so she can get close to Claire.”
Adrian rushed back into the room.
Security surrounded the floor.
The doctors had locked the ward.
I looked at Adrian.
“What happened?”
“Vanessa is gone.”
My heart tightened.
“Then she's coming here.”
He nodded.
“I won't let her near you.”
An hour later, the hospital lost power.
Emergency lights came on.
The elevator stopped.
Security doors unlocked.
Adrian stared at the hallway.
Someone had deliberately shut down the building's access control.
A nurse ran toward them.
“Mr. Vale, someone is on the cardiac floor.”
Adrian froze.
“Who?”
“We don't know.”
He ran.
I heard footsteps outside my room.
The door opened.
Vanessa stood there.
She wore a hospital badge.
Her expression was almost peaceful.
“Hello, Claire.”
I felt my blood run cold.
“You shouldn't be here.”
She smiled.
“No.”
She walked closer.
“You really should have stayed quiet.”
I pressed the emergency button.
She laughed.
“You think Adrian can save you?”
I looked toward the door.
“No.”
She leaned closer.
“But I know he will come.”
She turned.
The moment she left, Adrian appeared.
He ran into the room.
“Are you okay?”
I nodded.
He looked furious.
“She was here.”
“Yes.”
“She didn't hurt you?”
“No.”
He held my face.
“I'm sorry.”
I whispered, “Don't apologize.”
“Then what?”
“Catch her.”
He nodded.
“I will.”
Outside, the entire hospital security system suddenly came back online.
Someone had regained control.
A message appeared on Adrian's phone.
From an unknown number.
You want the truth about your uncle?
Come alone.
The location was the same Vermont estate.
Adrian looked at me.
“I have to go.”
“No.”
“I need to end this.”
“You don't go alone.”
He smiled sadly.
May you like
“You're right.”
Then he called the FBI.
