Chapter 4 - The Rat in the HouseThe underground bunker beneath the Vale estate had been converted into a high-tech command center. Rows of high-definition monitors displayed real-time satellite feeds, server traffic logs, and security camera loops from every corner of the property.
Alexander stood before a massive glass wall displaying a sprawling digital mind-map of corporate entities, shell companies, and known associates.
"Julian Vance," Alexander murmured, pacing slowly across the polished concrete floor. "He disappeared right after my company was cleared of the federal fraud charges three years ago. The SEC assumed he fled to South America with a few million in embezzled funds. But he didn't run. He stayed."
Marcus stood beside the main console, tapping rapidly on a keyboard. "Sir, we cross-referenced Julian’s known associates with the IP address that routed the offshore signal to our restaurant package today. The signal bounced through a residential broadband connection in Tribeca. Registered owner: Victor Vance—Julian’s younger brother, who currently sits on our board of directors as the head of corporate compliance."
Alexander stopped pacing. His eyes turned ice-cold.
"Victor," he said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "My own compliance director. The man who sat across from me in every board meeting, nodding politely, reviewing our internal security protocols."
"He didn't just review them, sir," Marcus said, bringing up a secure video file on the central monitor. "Look at this security footage from the main corporate headquarters taken two days ago. Victor was spotted in the private server room—accessing the restricted employee directory file containing your personal schedule and your private residence records."
Camila, who had walked quietly down the bunker stairs to find Alexander, stopped dead in her tracks as she saw the footage.
"He knew where you went," Camila said, her voice trembling. "He knew your routines. And somehow... he tracked me and Lily."
Alexander turned, his expression softening instantly as he saw her standing there. He crossed the room in two strides, taking her by the shoulders. "You shouldn't be down here, Camila. It's not safe."
"Don't treat me like a delicate flower, Alexander," she said firmly, though her eyes betrayed her anxiety. "Your board member is hunting us. If he knows about Lily, then we aren't just dealing with corporate espionage anymore. We're dealing with a psychopath."
"Which is why we aren't going to wait for him to make the next move," Alexander said, turning back to Marcus. "Call a emergency board meeting for tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM sharp at the Manhattan headquarters. I want every director present—especially Victor Vance."
"Sir, walking into a boardroom when there's an active internal threat—" Marcus started to protest.
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"Is the only way to draw the rat out of his hole," Alexander interrupted smoothly. "Victor thinks he’s holding all the cards because he found my daughter. He thinks he can blackmail me into signing over my controlling shares in the shipping conglomerate in exchange for our safety."
Alexander clenched his fist. "He has no idea what happens when you back a Vale into a corner."
