Chapter 9

ZADE’S POV

“Sir, we found the vehicle, and the registration leads back to a rental company connected to someone within your family’s circle,” my security chief informed me through the phone. “The connection isn't direct enough to accuse anyone yet, but whoever arranged the rental wasn't a stranger to your family.”

I stared at the photograph of Charlotte entering my estate. Whoever had taken it had positioned the vehicle between two surveillance blind spots, which meant they knew enough about my security to avoid detection. That wasn't luck.

“Send me everything you've found, including the rental records and everyone connected to that company,” I ordered as I opened the security report. “I also want another check on everyone who has ever had access to the estate's security plans. Keep this investigation quiet.”

“One of the company's major shareholders has done business repeatedly with an associate who is very close to your sister,” my security chief replied.

“Jasmine,” I said, my suspicion sharpening. “Don't approach her yet. Find out who actually rented the vehicle first.”

“I understand, sir,” he assured me before ending the call.

I lowered my phone and stared toward the windows. My family had always respected my decision to stay away from their business until money, inheritance or control became involved. Charlotte had barely been at the estate for a day, yet someone connected to my family already knew she was here.

Later that afternoon, I found Charlotte sitting in the library with an open book across her lap. She wasn't reading because her eyes remained fixed on the same page. When she noticed me, she immediately closed the book.

“You found something, and don't tell me the investigation is still ongoing because I can already see it on your face,” Charlotte said as she watched me approach. “Tell me what happened.”

“We traced the vehicle, and the person connected to it has ties to my family,” I explained as I stopped near the table. “I don't know whether someone in my family ordered the surveillance, but I'm no longer treating that photograph as something related only to your mother's creditors.”

“Your family?” Charlotte repeated as she stood. “Why would someone in your family even know who I am, much less care enough to have someone taking pictures of me?”

“I don't know yet, and until I have that answer, I don't want you leaving this estate without informing security first,” I told her. “That doesn't mean you're a prisoner, but someone has been watching you closely enough to photograph you without being detected.”

“So now I'm a prisoner?” Charlotte asked, folding her arms. “You paid my mother's debt, moved me into your estate, gave me rules about my phone, and now you're adding rules about whether I can walk outside.”

“You don't need my permission to leave, but security needs to know where you're going because the people who threatened you have already shown they're willing to use force,” I replied calmly. “I'm asking you to understand that this situation is dangerous.”

“You decide what's dangerous, you decide how much information I can handle, and then you make the decision before telling me it's for my protection,” Charlotte argued. “I'm the person being watched, but somehow I'm still the person who knows the least.”

Her accusation made me pause because she wasn't entirely wrong. I had approached the situation the way I approached every threat: gather information, control access and reveal only what was necessary. That worked with business. Charlotte wasn't business.

“So you're saying this isn't only about my mother's debt anymore, and whoever is watching me could actually be connected to you,” Charlotte said as she searched my expression. “Because if that's true, staying here might have made everything worse instead of safer.”

“Possibly, but leaving now wouldn't automatically make you safer either,” I admitted. “If someone has decided you're useful because you're connected to me, sending you away only removes the security surrounding you. Until I understand what they want, this estate remains the safest place I can keep you.”

“I'm not something you keep, Zade,” Charlotte replied as she lifted her chin. “I agreed to work for you, not disappear inside your house while you investigate everyone around me.”

“You're right, and I chose the wrong words,” I admitted. “You can leave if that's what you choose, but until we know who is watching you, tell security before you do.”

Charlotte stared at me before releasing a frustrated breath.

“Fine, I'll tell security if I need to go anywhere, but I want something from you in return,” she said as she picked up her book. “When you discover who's behind this, you tell me before you decide what happens next. I don't want another decision about my life made in a room I'm not allowed into.”

“You'll know when I know enough to give you the truth instead of guesses,” I promised. “And if anyone contacts you before then, whether it's an unknown number, one of your mother's creditors or someone claiming to know me, you tell me immediately.”

That evening, Jasmine's name appeared on my phone. My sister could go weeks without speaking to me unless our family needed something, yet hours after I discovered a vehicle connected to her circle outside my estate, she suddenly remembered she had a brother.

“Zade, darling, I was beginning to think you had forgotten how to answer a family call,” Jasmine teased when I answered. “How is your new position going?”

“You've never cared about my paintings before, Jasmine, so tell me what you actually called about,” I replied. “If this is another attempt to convince me to attend a family meeting, save both of us the time.”

“Maybe I simply wanted to know how my brother was doing,” she replied with a quiet laugh. “You disappeared into your private little world years ago.”

“Then let me make your concern useful,” I said as I picked up the report. “A vehicle connected to one of your associates has been watching my estate, and whoever was inside knew enough about my security system to avoid the cameras. Tell me what you know.”

“I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, and I find it interesting that your first reaction is to assume I'm somehow involved,” Jasmine answered after a pause. “You have plenty of enemies without borrowing mine.”

“I didn't accuse you, but you became defensive before I even mentioned the name of the associate,” I pointed out. “So either you're protective of people I haven't identified yet, or you already know more about this vehicle than you're admitting.”

“Perhaps you're becoming paranoid because you suddenly have someone else living in that enormous estate with you,” Jasmine replied, her playful tone returning. “A woman under your roof might make even you start imagining threats everywhere.”

“How do you know there's a woman staying here?” I asked as I sat forward. “Charlotte arrived yesterday, and I haven't told anyone in this family that she's here.”

“I heard it through people who know people, and you know perfectly well that nothing stays private forever in our circles,” Jasmine replied, trying to dismiss the question.

I ended the call and immediately contacted my security chief, instructing him to investigate Jasmine's movements and known associates without alerting her. Minutes later, his report confirmed that the vehicle had been rented through a company connected to one of Jasmine's closest associates.

It wasn't proof that my sister had ordered Charlotte watched, but it was enough to prove she had lied about knowing nothing.

Later that night, I returned to the library and found Charlotte asleep in one of the armchairs. I watched her for several moments, thinking about how easily she had been dragged into a fight she knew nothing about.

My phone vibrated before I could wake her.

Another photograph appeared on the screen.

Charlotte was visible through the library window, asleep in the exact chair in front of me. Whoever had taken it had been close enough to watch the estate while I was still inside it.

Beneath the photograph was a single message.

“You can hide your little muse behind your walls, but you cannot hide her from us.”