Chapter 3 - The Broken TreatyAdrian Cross walked through the hallways of Hawthorne like a man walking through a graveyard of his own making. He reached his private study and went straight to the wall safe. He entered the combination and pulled out a dossier—the one Vivian’s father, Vincent, had handed him three weeks ago.
It contained proof of embezzlement within the Cross organization. Proof that someone was funneling money into offshore accounts to prevent the merger from happening.
The name at the bottom of the wire transfer was Marcus Hale.
Adrian felt a cold, jagged spike of betrayal. Marcus wasn't just his adviser; he was the person who had saved Adrian’s life when his father was gunned down in the street. Marcus was the architect of the very peace treaty Adrian was trying to build.
Why would Marcus destroy the peace?
"He’s afraid, Adrian."
The voice came from the doorway. It was Vivian. She had followed him, her wedding veil discarded, her eyes red from crying.
"He’s afraid that if we merge, the old ways will truly die," Vivian said, walking into the room. "My father told me that Marcus isn't just an adviser. He’s the one who’s been keeping the blood feud alive for the last decade, profiting from the chaos."
Adrian looked at her, his expression unreadable. "You knew?"
"I suspected. That’s why I agreed to this. My father wanted a way out, and I wanted to see if you were the monster everyone said you were. If you were a monster, you’d kill me. If you were a man, you’d see what was happening."
"And what am I, Vivian?"
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"You're a man who has been lied to for twelve years," she said softly.
Adrian turned back to the desk. He didn't feel anger anymore. He felt a terrifying, clinical focus. He picked up his phone and dialed a number. "Marcus? I need you in the study. Now."
