جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 130

The sun had barely risen over Hilton City when Lucas returned.He had not slept.The photograph of his father and Richard Mercer remained on his mind.THE THREE MEN KNEW THE PLANE WOULD FALL.The sentence had changed everything.Lucas entered the private command center.Xavier was already waiting.“Milord.”“Report.”“We searched every available record connected to Richard Mercer.”“And?”“He disappeared eleven years ago.”“I know.”“We also checked international borders, airports, private aviation records, shipping records and financial transactions.”“Anything?”Xavier placed a tablet on the desk.“There is one unusual transaction.”Lucas picked it up.“A payment was made to a private maritime company in Northbridge.”“When?”“Eleven years ago.”“The same year Richard supposedly died?”

The chapel fell into complete silence.Rain beat against the stained-glass windows while candles flickered in the darkness.Lucas knelt beside Richard Harris, pressing his hand against the wound in the old man's shoulder."Stay with me."Richard coughed weakly. "He's here..."A slow clap echoed through the chapel.Lucas stood.A tall man stepped out of the shadows wearing a long black coat. His face was hidden beneath the dim light."You've grown up, Lucas."Lucas's eyes narrowed."Show me your face."The man chuckled."Still impatient... just like Michael."The mention of his father's name sent anger through Lucas."Who are you?"The stranger removed his hood.Lucas froze.The man's face looked frighteningly familiar. Older than his father's, with the same sharp eyes and the same Morgan features."My name is Adrian Morgan.

The next morning, Hilton City was covered by a thin layer of fog.Lucas arrived at the Meridian Grand Hotel shortly before ten.He stepped out of a simple black sedan wearing an ordinary shirt and jeans.Nothing about his appearance suggested that he was the most powerful hidden figure in Hilton City.That was exactly how he wanted it.He walked into the hotel lobby.The receptionist immediately recognized the name on the reservation.“Mr. Lucas, Miss Morgan is waiting for you upstairs.”Lucas nodded.“Thank you.”He entered the elevator.As the doors closed, his expression changed.This wasn't a university meeting.This wasn't a casual conversation.This was the beginning of an inheritance battle.And Lucas knew Stacy Morgan wouldn't have traveled back to Hilton City simply to introduce herself.The elevator reached the top floor.

The call had ended.But Lucas remained standing in the command center.The words kept repeating in his mind.The Crown Circle was only the beginning.He stared at the screen displaying the names of the people his network had been tracking.Richard Mercer.The Morgan trustees.Stacy Morgan.Several companies in Northbridge.A chain of financial transfers running through Singapore.And a handful of names that had appeared repeatedly during his investigation.Lucas slowly clenched his fist.He had thought the Crown Circle was the center of the mystery surrounding his parents.Now he wasn't so sure.But there was something he had learned from years of living quietly.When someone wanted him to stop investigating, it usually meant he was getting close to something important.Xavier entered the room.“Milord.”Lucas turned.

The command center remained silent after the message disappeared.STOP DIGGING, MILORD.Lucas stared at the blank screen.His expression was calm, but everyone around him could feel the change in the room.Xavier stepped forward.“Milord, should we evacuate?”“No.”“Why?”“Because whoever sent that message wants us frightened.”Lucas walked toward the main security terminal.“I don't intend to give them what they want.”He turned to the security team.“Seal every entrance.”“Yes, Milord.”“Check every employee.”“Yes.”“Review every access record from the last thirty days.”Xavier nodded.“And Richard?”“Find him.”“We'll search every safe location.”Lucas shook his head.“Don't search only our locations.”Xavier looked at him.“Where else?”“Search the places o