Chapter 2 - The Inner CircleBy dawn, Isla was resting under heavy sedation in the medical wing of Rhett’s Lincoln Park estate, tended to by Dr. Castillo, who knew better than to ask questions.

Rhett sat in his private study on the third floor, staring at the map of Chicago on the wall. The red lines didn't look like business routes anymore; they looked like tripwires.

Marcus entered quietly, placing a thick manila folder on the mahogany desk.

“We analyzed the security logs and neighborhood traffic cameras near Isla’s building,” Marcus said carefully. “Two individuals were seen leaving her apartment complex around eleven yesterday morning, just before the attack.”

Rhett didn't turn around. “Names.”

“The first one is Julian Voss—Isla’s estranged older brother. He has a history of high-stakes gambling debts and has been quietly liquidated of his assets by several underground bookmakers over the last six months.”

Rhett’s eyes narrowed. “And the second?”

Marcus hesitated, a rare sign of unease crossing his face. “That’s... complicated, sir. The second vehicle registered at the scene belonged to someone with an active security clearance inside your own organization.”

Rhett turned slowly, his gaze locking onto Marcus. “Speak.”

“Vance Valon. Your younger brother.”

The room seemed to drop ten degrees. The air grew thick, suffocating. Vance—the brother Rhett had pulled out of the gutter, funded through Wharton, and placed as vice president of Valon Logistics.

“Vance was out of the country on a shipping audit in Rotterdam,” Rhett said, though the words tasted like ash.

“His corporate jet filed a flight plan, yes,” Marcus replied quietly, sliding a photograph across the desk. “Passport control logs show he landed back at O’Hare forty-eight hours ago under a private alias. And financial records show a wire transfer of five hundred thousand dollars moved from Vance’s personal accounts directly to a shell company controlled by Julian Voss.”

The betrayal hit Rhett not like a physical blow, but like an executioner's axe. His own brother had conspired with Isla’s brother to steal from her—and when Isla refused to cooperate, Vance had authorized or overseen the violence.

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“Where is Vance right now?” Rhett asked, his voice deathly calm.

“He called the office twenty minutes ago,” Marcus said. “He’s waiting in the executive boardroom. He wants to discuss the Castellano contract.”