Chapter 11 - THE BROTHER WHO NEVER STOPPED FIGHTING
Alexander watched Victoria's video six times.
Each time, his expression grew colder.
Then he turned toward Marcus.
"Send it to the investigators."
Marcus nodded.
"We're already tracing the source."
I stood beside Alexander.
"Your brother is alive."
He looked at the frozen image on the screen.
"Yes."
"And Victoria wants something."
"The ledger."
I shook my head.
"Not anymore. She knows we have copies."
Alexander glanced at me.
"What do you think she wants?"
"Control."
His eyes narrowed.
"Explain."
"She's spent years humiliating anyone she considers powerless. At the gala, she tried to hurt me because she thought nobody would stop her."
I looked at Daniel's image.
"Now she's trying the same thing with you."
Alexander was silent.
Then he nodded slowly.
"She's expecting me to act emotionally."
"Exactly."
For the first time, he smiled faintly.
"You sound like your father."
My throat tightened.
"That's the best compliment anyone has ever given me."
That evening, investigators traced the video to an abandoned commercial property in Brooklyn.
They believed Daniel was being held there.
But the building had multiple exits and a complicated security system.
Rather than rush inside, authorities organized a coordinated operation.
Alexander remained at the command location.
I stayed beside him.
Every minute felt endless.
Finally, Marcus received a call.
"They found Daniel."
Alexander gripped the table.
"Is he alive?"
"Yes. Injured, but conscious."
Alexander closed his eyes.
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then Marcus continued.
"Victoria escaped before officers entered. Adrian Kane was taken into custody."
I felt relief wash through me.
But it didn't last.
Daniel had told investigators something disturbing.
Edward Lane had prepared forged documents blaming Alexander for years of financial fraud.
The plan was to destroy the Ashford family while Edward vanished with the remaining stolen funds.
And Victoria had a second objective.
She wanted to silence the Reyes family permanently.
Alexander turned toward me.
"Your family needs to stay protected until she's found."
I nodded.
This time, I didn't argue.
An hour later, Daniel was transported to the hospital where Anthony was recovering.
I watched Alexander enter his brother's room.
Daniel looked up.
"Alex?"
Alexander crossed the room.
Then the two brothers embraced.
For the first time, I saw Alexander Ashford cry without trying to hide it.
Later, Daniel asked to speak with me.
"Sophia Reyes?"
I nodded.
He reached toward the bedside drawer.
"I've carried something for six years."
He handed me a small envelope.
My father's handwriting covered the front.
For Sophia, when she understands why I stayed.
I opened it with shaking hands.
Inside was a photograph of my father holding a much younger Alexander.
May you like
And on the back were seven words.
I promised his mother I would protect him.
