Chapter 6 - The Heir No One Knew
His name was Adrian Hayes.
Thirty-one.
Brilliant.
Invisible.
And obsessed with the company he believed had been stolen from him.
Adrian had spent years building his own financial network.
He had manipulated investors.
Bought politicians.
Placed spies inside Hayes Global.
And when Daniel Hayes died, Adrian believed the company should have been his.
But there was a problem.
Declan.
And now Sarah's baby.
Julian explained everything.
"Adrian believes your child makes him irrelevant."
Declan's jaw tightened.
"Where is he?"
"We don't know."
Then Sarah called.
Her voice was frightened.
"Declan?"
"Where are you?"
"At the house."
"What happened?"
"I saw someone."
Declan's heart stopped.
"Where?"
"In the garden."
"Lock the doors."
"I did."
"Stay away from the windows."
Then a gunshot exploded through the phone.
Declan ran.
When he arrived, the house was surrounded by police.
Sarah was gone.
Declan nearly lost control.
Then he saw something on the floor.
Her scarf.
Blood stained one edge.
He picked it up.
His world narrowed.
Victor found a hidden camera in the garden.
The footage showed Sarah being taken.
But she had not been attacked.
She had walked willingly toward the car.
Declan watched again.
Sarah was holding something.
A small envelope.
Then he understood.
She had received another message.
And she had chosen to protect him by leaving.
The trail led to an abandoned warehouse near the harbor.
Declan entered alone.
Adrian stood at the far end.
Sarah was seated in a chair.
She was frightened but unharmed.
Adrian smiled.
"Hello, brother."
Declan raised his gun.
"Release her."
"You're still giving orders."
Adrian laughed.
"You always did."
Sarah looked at Declan.
"Don't shoot."
Adrian placed a hand on her shoulder.
"She is carrying the future of the Hayes family."
Declan's voice became deadly calm.
"Touch her again and you won't leave this building."
Adrian smiled.
"That's the difference between us."
"What?"
"You still believe you can save everyone."
Then Elena stepped from the shadows.
Declan's face hardened.
"Why?"
She smiled.
"Because your father chose you."
"That doesn't explain murder."
"No."
Her smile disappeared.
"It explains everything."
She revealed the truth.
Daniel had discovered Adrian years earlier.
He had planned to recognize him.
But before he could, Elena manipulated Adrian into believing Declan had stolen his inheritance.
She had used him.
Created the conflict.
Destroyed the family.
And now she intended to eliminate everyone standing between her and control.
Then Sarah suddenly spoke.
"You made one mistake."
Elena frowned.
Sarah smiled.
"You told Rebecca about my coffee."
"What?"
"The police recorded everything."
Elena's face changed.
Victor stepped from behind the warehouse door.
Police surrounded the building.
Adrian looked at Elena.
"You said nobody knew."
Elena stared at him.
For the first time, she realized she had been betrayed by the person she trusted most.
Adrian had secretly recorded her confession.
He had been planning to turn on her.
But then he did something unexpected.
He lowered his weapon.
"I never wanted Sarah hurt."
Declan stared at him.
"Then why?"
"Because I wanted you to understand what it feels like to lose everything."
Adrian looked exhausted.
"I was angry."
Declan lowered his weapon.
"You don't have to be my enemy."
Adrian looked at him.
"Then what am I?"
May you like
Declan answered:
"My brother."
