Chapter 4 - The Bernese Fortress
The private Gulfstream landed at Bern Airport under the crisp, clear blue sky of a Swiss mountain morning.
From the window of the luxury aircraft, Nia looked out at the breathtaking expanse of the Bernese Alps—sharp, snow-capped peaks rising into the clouds, surrounded by dense, emerald-green pine forests and pristine alpine meadows.
Leo was glued to the window, his little face pressed against the glass. "Look, Mommy! Giant ice cream mountains!"
Thor sat beside the leather seat, wearing a custom tactical travel harness, looking remarkably refined as he chewed on a fresh gourmet beef chew ring provided by the flight attendant.
When the cabin door opened, the cool, pine-scented mountain air rushed into the plane.
Standing on the tarmac was a fleet of three dark gray Range Rovers, surrounded by six security officers wearing immaculate charcoal suits, tactical earpieces, and subtle sidearms beneath their tailored jackets.
At the head of the security team stood a tall, elegant woman in her late fifties, her hair styled in a severe, silver chignon, her sharp blue eyes sweeping across the plane staircase.
"That is Greta," Jyn said, stepping up beside Nia, wearing a fresh charcoal suit over a black turtleneck. "My family’s estate director. She managed the compound during my father’s time. She is... formidable."
As they descended the stairs, Greta stepped forward. She didn't look at Jyn. She didn't look at Nia. Her gaze landed directly on three-year-old Leo, who was holding Nia’s hand tightly, his blue winter coat zipped up to his chin.
Greta’s stern, severe face suddenly melted into an expression of profound, watery emotion. She dropped to one knee on the tarmac, reaching into her pocket, pulling out a small, beautifully carved wooden toy train.
"Welcome home, Little Master Thorne," Greta said in a soft, gentle Swiss-German accent, holding out the train.
Leo looked at the train, then at Nia, silently asking for permission.
Nia nodded softly. "Go ahead, sweetie."
Leo stepped forward, taking the wooden train into his small hands. "Thank you, lady! It has wheels!"
Greta looked up at Nia, standing up straight, offering a deep, respectful bow. "Miss Santos. I am Greta Weber. The Thorne estate is at your absolute disposal. Whatever you or the young master require, it will be done."
"Thank you, Greta," Nia replied, her voice grounded and polite. "Right now, I just want a shower and a cup of coffee that wasn't made in a microwave."
Greta’s lips twitched into a small smile. "It shall be served in the sunroom upon your arrival."
The motorcade journey took forty minutes, winding up steep mountain roads lined with timber chalets and rushing alpine streams.
Finally, the vehicles turned onto a private stone driveway that passed through a massive security gate built into the living rock of the mountain. The gates were constructed of four-inch-thick reinforced steel, flanked by discreet camera domes and biometric scanners.
Beyond the gate lay the Thorne Estate.
It was not a cold, concrete military bunker. It was a magnificent, four-story stone manor built in the late 19th century, featuring dark wood balconies, slate roofs, and sprawling glass sunrooms overlooking a private, crystal-clear alpine lake. High walls of stone and dense forest surrounded the property, creating a natural fortress hidden from the world.
As the Range Rovers pulled up to the front entrance, Thor immediately hopped out of the lead vehicle, barking happily as he trotted up the wide stone steps toward the grand double doors.
"He remembers," Jyn murmured, stepping up beside Nia as she looked at the magnificent estate.
"It's huge, Jyn," Nia whispered, feeling a sudden wave of intimidation. "It looks like a castle."
"It was built to protect those inside it," Jyn said softly, standing beside her. "Six months ago, I thought I was the last Thorne who would ever walk these halls. Now..." He looked at Leo, who was running up the steps after Thor, clutching his wooden train. "...it finally has a future again."
Before they could step inside, Greta stepped up to Jyn, holding a sleek silver tablet.
"Sir," Greta said, her tone instantly returning to business. "The legal council has arrived from Geneva. Mr. Sterling and his team are in the primary study. Furthermore..." Her eyes flicked toward the front gate. "...we have received a formal diplomatic notification from the Chong Family trust."
Jyn’s posture instantly shifted back into the formidable syndicate leader. "What do they want?"
"Old Mr. Chong has invoked the Council of Nine," Greta reported gravely. "He demands a formal tribunal in Zurich on Friday to settle the succession rights of the male heir."
Nia stepped closer to Jyn. "What is the Council of Nine?"
May you like
Jyn looked out over the alpine lake, his jaw tightening.
"The Council of Nine," Jyn said, "is the ancient court of the European trade guilds. It is where rival families go when they want to settle a blood dispute without firing a bullet." He looked at Nia. "And Mr. Chong intends to prove that Leo is an illegitimate heir who cannot legally inherit the Thorne family assets."
