All Chapters of The Heir's Secret : Chapter 21 - Chapter 26

Julian didn’t move as the sleek black SUV pulled up to the curb outside the private terminal.His eyes remained locked on the woman stepping out; flawless posture, a face carved from steel and grace. The last time he saw her, she had been walking away from VanDermere Tower, her resignation letter signed in blood. It wasn't actually in blood, of course, but the way she did it felt just as serious and final.Now she is back.“Hello, Julian,” she said smoothly.“Mother,” he replied, his voice unreadable.Diana VanDermere regarded him with the same regal detachment that made shareholders tremble and politicians retreat. However, underneath her stylish coat and bold red lipstick was something else, something Julian hadn’t seen before.Wariness.They entered the waiting car in silence. Clarissa didn’t speak either—she knew this was a family moment and it's best left untouched. The doors shut with a soft hiss, and the engine started.“You picked an inconvenient time to come back,” Julian sai

The airplane landed in Zurich as dark clouds filled the sky, looking as if they knew what lay beneath them.Julian stepped off the plane, feeling the heavy weight the black keycard holds… like it was burning a hole in his pocket. He hadn’t told Aiden about the exact details of the trip—not yet. Crane had insisted he come alone, and while Julian didn’t trust him, he knew this city held answers. Maybe even the truth Diana had only hinted at.He checked into a discreet hotel under a false name. At the front desk, there was an envelope sitting there quietly. It didn't have any name or address on it, just a room number that was written quickly on the front.Inside: a single line on a slip of cream paper.“11:45 PM. Rue Helvetia 17. Come alone. Use the card.”He squeezed the note until it was rumpled and then tossed it into the fireplace.—Zurich – Rue Helvetia, 11:43 PMThe building appeared to be an abandoned house, with its gray stone walls looking dull and covered with overgrown green

The cold air of the alley wrapped around Aiden like a noose, heavy and suffocating. Snowflakes drifted lazily from the sky, too serene for what had just unfolded. Behind them, the hotel safehouse was already swimming with chaos—shattered windows, bullet holes, scorch marks from the flash grenade. Aiden’s ears still rang from the blast.Beside him, Oliver wiped blood from a shallow cut on his brow, his breaths quick and ragged. But Aiden wasn’t looking at him anymore. His focus had narrowed to one word:Julian.“We need to find him. Now.” Aiden’s voice was low but edged with panic.Oliver didn’t move. “I told you. This isn’t just about Crane anymore.”Aiden grabbed him by the collar. “No riddles. No games. Where is Julian?”“I don’t know exactly.” Oliver shoved Aiden off. “He’s not in Zurich anymore.”Aiden’s breath caught. “What?”Oliver nodded grimly. “Crane had him extracted before we ever made it here. My guess is—he anticipated you’d go rogue. So he removed the leverage.”Aiden’s