Chapter 4 - The Betrayal Unveiled
Nathaniel read the extortion note three times to make sure he was not hallucinating.
His legitimate shipping empire was worth billions of dollars.
He handed the bloody note to his brother.
Andrew's face turned pale as he read the massive financial demands.
"Who possesses the resources to pull off a coordinated hit like this?" Andrew asked.
"Vanessa Whitmore," Nathaniel said, the name tasting like poison on his tongue.
"She isn't a charity consultant at all."
Nathaniel realized Vanessa had systematically mapped out his entire life.
She had learned his security protocols and his blind spots.
She had intentionally sent him those fake stalking photos to keep him occupied.
She knew exactly when Clare would be completely vulnerable in the hospital.
Nathaniel's phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket.
The caller ID was completely blocked.
He answered it and put it on speakerphone so Andrew could hear.
"Did you find my present in the trunk, Nate?" Vanessa's smooth voice purred through the speaker.
"If you hurt her, I will spend the rest of my life hunting you down," Nathaniel growled.
"I don't want to hurt her," Vanessa replied calmly.
"I just want the exclusive shipping routes that your father stole from my family thirty years ago."
Nathaniel froze, realizing he was paying for a decades-old blood feud he knew nothing about.
"You have two hours to transfer the deeds to my offshore holding company," Vanessa ordered.
"I want proof of life first," Nathaniel demanded aggressively.
"I want to hear Clare's voice right now."
There was a brief, tense pause on the line.
Then he heard the sound of heavy metal doors groaning open.
"Tell your pathetic husband you are still breathing," Vanessa commanded someone in the background.
A weak, trembling voice came through the receiver.
May you like
"Nate, please don't give them anything," Clare whispered.
Then the phone line suddenly went completely dead.
