LOGINNathan POVThe Lothan Industries private jet cut through the night sky toward Singapore. Emily satacross from me, reviewing security protocols Blake had sent. The twins were asleep in therear cabin finally looking like normal six-year-old girls instead of Catherine's geneticexperiments."Blake says Sebastian's media contacts are already asking questions," Emily said quietly."We have maybe seventy-two hours before someone publishes speculation about the twins'genetics. Catherine's therapy works better.""We're trusting Catherine with our daughters again. Nathan, tell me we're notmaking a catastrophic mistake.""I can't. But what's the alternative? Let Sebastian expose them?"My phone buzzed. Message from Marcus.The flight tracker shows you're four hours from Singapore. Blake's coordinating security on theground. Nathan, Catherine's facility is a legitimately registered medical research clinic. Looksclean from outside but monitor everything she does. We don't know her real agen
Emily POVI called Vanessa and explained Sebastian's threat, the sabotage, the choice we faced."Release the files," Vanessa said immediately. "Emily, I'm not worth protecting if it meansletting Sebastian keep hurting people. Publish everything, my crimes, his crimes, all of it.Let the world judge both of us.""You could face prosecution. The statute of limitations doesn't cover everything in those files.""Then I face prosecution. Emily, I helped Sebastian commit crimes for three years. I've hadseven years of freedom I didn't necessarily deserve. If honesty means prison, at least it'shonest prison."Her courage amazed me. "Are you sure?""I'm sure. Sebastian thinks threatening my consulting firm will make you back down. Showhim threatening me makes you double down. Release the files and destroy him completely."I hung up and looked at Blake. "Release everything. Margaret's files, Vanessa's testimony,Sebastian's eighteen years of criminal activity tonight, before Sebastian can p
Emily POVSix months after Sebastian Cross fled to Switzerland, life found an unusual rhythm. LotusAutomotive sold for eight billion. Sebastian accepted, overpaid dramatically, andimmediately discovered he'd bought an expensive shell. We retained all IP, key personnel,and the Formula One team.Lothan-Lotus Racing prepared for our debut season. I stood in the team garage atBarcelona testing, watching mechanics work on our cars during their eighteen months of development."Emily, we have telemetry from Davies Hartley's run, " my race engineer called. "Fastestlap of the session. The car's performing beyond our projections."I studied the data. Hartley was twenty-three, aggressive, hungry and that's exactly what we needed.Our second driver, Mercedes refugee Lucas Werner, provided experience and consistency."Tell Davies to push harder. I want to see where the limit is."Nathan appeared beside me."You're in your element. Haven't seen you this alive sincebefore house arrest.""Racing
CHAPTER 143: The TestimonyVanessa POVI could barely sleep and it all kept replaying in my head, the kidnapping attempt, the hands grabbing me, Blakecame out of the Lothan tower to save me like someone from an action movie.At 6 AM, Emily knocked on my door."The press conference is at 10. Witness protection is still an option.""I'm testifying. I've been a shameful secret for too long. It's time to be honest about what I was."She studied me. "You've really changed.""I try every day, it doesn't erase the past but maybe it balances it slightly.""Did Jason love you? Really?"The question surprised me. "He loved the escape I represented. I was more of a distraction to him and I knewwhere I stood in terms of the relationship we had but I was rebellion against responsibility. And I loved whathe gave me security, feeling special. That wasn't love,Emily, that was transactional with emotional glazing. We were both lying to ourselves or I'd rather say I waslying to myself that I could
Blake POV Santiago pulled up and article from his tablet and Sebastian’s statement lit the screen. He'd already spin about the ongoing investigation painting us as thugs.His daylight kidnapping was rewritten in real time. Sebastian had posted a statement:Today, one of my former contractors was assaulted by Lothan Industries security whileattempting to conduct legitimate private investigation. The Lothan family's violent responsedemonstrates the thuggish tactics they employ. I'm filing charges against Blake Thompsonfor assault and considering civil lawsuit for excessive force. This is what happens whencorporate bullies feel threatened by legitimate business competition."He's spinning the kidnapping as legitimate investigation," I said. "Making us look like theaggressors.""We have video evidence," Marcus countered. "Security cameras captured everything.Sebastian's contractor explicitly said they were taking Vanessa by force. This is desperatespin control.""Desperate or ef
Blake POVI watched security monitors as Vanessa exited the building and walked toward thestreet. Professional habit monitoring everyone who left after sensitive meetings.My phone buzzed. Santiago."Blake, we have a problem. Three vehicles just converged on Vanessa's position. Black SUVs,no plates visible, professional formation looking like an abduction team."I was already moving. "Alert security. Get Emily and Marcus to the safe room. I'm going afterVanessa.""Blake, you need backup""No time. Call NYPD, but I'm not waiting."I grabbed my sidearm from the office safe and ran for the elevator. Watched security feedson my phone as I descended.Three SUVs had boxed Vanessa in. She was backing away, pulling out her phone. Six menemerged professionally moving with military precision."Vanessa Brooks," one said, loud enough for our street cameras to capture. "Mr. Cross wouldlike to speak with you. Come willingly or we will make this difficult.""I'm not going anywhere with"They d
Marcus POVThe flight to Moscow took nine hours, which felt like eternity. Nathan paced constantly,unable to sit still while Emily was held captive. Richard coordinated with Russianauthorities. Blake studied satellite imagery of the estate where Dmitri believed Margarethad taken Emily.And I sat
Blake POVThe Metropolitan Museum after hours was eerily beautiful, classic art illuminated bygood lighting, silent except for our footsteps echoing through marble halls. DmitriVolkov waited in the Greek and Roman wing, surrounded by statues of ancient warriors andgods.Fitting, considering he v
Blake POVThe drive to the Connecticut estate took twelve minutes that felt like hours. Emily rodewith me, Nathan and Marcus following in a second vehicle. My team's radio remained silentno response from the twenty-four guards I'd positioned around the property."ETA two minutes," I told Emily. "
Emily POVThree days after returning from Moscow, I sat in my home office staring at Margaret'sencrypted email address. Lily and Ethan played in the next room, safe and healthy, theirbioweapon implants successfully removed. Nathan worked downstairs, coordinating finaldismantling of Margaret's or







