Chapter 3: The Enemy Returns
The name on the document made my chest tighten.
Richard Vale.
My oldest friend.
My first business partner.
The man who helped me build the company.
And the same man who tried to destroy it.
Ten years ago, Richard disappeared after being accused of financial fraud.
Everyone thought he ran away.
Everyone thought he was gone forever.
But now someone had sent me proof that he was back.
Marcus closed the office door.
"Sir, are you okay?""
I stared at the photograph.
"No.""
For the first time in years, I admitted it.
"No, I'm not.""
Lily was sitting in the hotel suite drawing pictures.
She didn't know anything about my past.
She only knew her father was there.
And I wanted to keep it that way.
Ethan opened another file.
"Mr. Brooks, we believe Richard has been watching you.""
My eyes lifted.
"Watching me?""
He nodded.
"For months.""
I stood.
"Why?""
Ethan hesitated.
Then he answered.
"Because of Lily.""
The room became silent.
I walked to the window.
Below me, the city moved like nothing had changed.
But everything had changed.
"What does he want?""
Ethan placed another document on the table.
"Control of Brooks Hospitality.""
I laughed once.
Without humor.
"After ten years?""
"He believes you owe him.""
I looked at him.
"He stole from me.""
Ethan nodded.
"And now he believes your daughter is your weakness.""
My hands clenched.
Nobody threatened Lily.
Nobody.
That evening, I took her to dinner in the hotel restaurant.
I wanted one normal moment.
Just one.
She smiled while eating dessert.
"Daddy, can we stay here forever?""
I smiled.
"Why?""
"Because everyone is nice now.""
The words hurt.
Because I knew why she noticed.
Children always notice things adults ignore.
Before I could answer, my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I picked up.
A man's voice came through.
"Daniel.""
I froze.
I knew that voice.
"Richard.""
Lily looked at me.
"Daddy?""
I turned away.
"What do you want?""
A quiet laugh.
"You always were dramatic.""
My jaw tightened.
"You disappeared.""
"I survived.""
"You ruined my company.""
"No," he said calmly.
"I showed you how fragile it was.""
I looked across the restaurant.
Security stood nearby.
But somehow, I felt exposed.
"What do you want?""
His voice became colder.
"I want what should have been mine.""
"You want money?""
"No.""
A pause.
Then:
"I want your name.""
The call ended.
I stood there holding the phone.
Lily reached for my hand.
"Daddy, who was that?""
I looked at my daughter.
And I realized something terrifying.
Richard wasn't attacking my company.
He was attacking my family.
Then my phone received one final message.
A photograph.
Of Lily.
May you like
Taken earlier that day.
Outside the hotel.
