Chapter 6
Andrew smiled more easily, dressed louder and spent money as though generosity could disguise resentment. For years he had complained privately that Vincent controlled too much of the family business.
Claire turned over the photograph.
Five words were written on the back.
She was placed near him.
Beneath that was another sentence.
The affair was never the goal.
Claire called Eleanor.
Within three hours, Bennett investigators had identified six shell companies tied indirectly to Andrew.
Within twelve hours, the pattern became frightening.
Small ownership changes in shipping subsidiaries.
Payments to union representatives.
Donations routed through charities that barely existed.
Debt quietly purchased by companies linked to Andrew’s attorneys.
The pieces looked meaningless separately.
Together, they formed a takeover.
Across Boston, Vincent discovered the same truth.
His longtime operations chief, Nicholas Reyes, placed a stack of bank records on his desk.
“I’ve been watching Andrew for eight months.”
Vincent looked up sharply.
“You suspected my brother?”
“I suspected someone.”
“And Elena?”
Nicholas said nothing.
Vincent stood.
“You knew?”
“I knew something wasn’t right.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Nicholas held his gaze.
“Because you wouldn’t have believed me.”
The answer struck Vincent harder than anger.
Nicholas continued.
“You stopped listening to anyone who questioned what you wanted. Elena learned that fast.”
Vincent looked away.
“Did Andrew make me sleep with her too?”
Nicholas did not answer.
“He didn’t,” Vincent said.
“No.”
Vincent lowered himself into his chair.
That was the one truth he could not hide behind.
He had been manipulated.
But he had not been controlled.
May you like
Andrew may have opened the door.
Vincent had walked through it.
